The BYU-Idaho Symphony Band is leaving Rexburg and heading to the Pacific Northwest with a brand-new program on its 2025 tour.
With performances in Washington state and British Columbia, the band will perform pieces that resemble the area’s beautiful landscapes in a concert called Symphonic Soundscapes that celebrates the transformative sounds and views found in nature.
“I would say like the overall theme of our tour is like transformation,” said Artistic Director David Faires. “Throughout our program, we have melodies and themes and just emotions and feelings that represent evolving and working and pressing forward. I think it's a very friendly and nostalgic concert for all types of listeners.”
The performance features well known pieces from the “Wizard of Oz,” George Gershwin and John Philip Sousa. Two soloists will be highlighted, and the program includes the premiere of a new arrangement by faculty member Ryan Terry of Richard Elliot’s version of “Let Us All Press On,” arranged for band.
“He's worked with us and given us permission to re-orchestrate it and create a new version for band,” Faires said. “It doesn't have any words, so the band instruments have to keep the attention of the audience.”
The tour begins April 13, but the band will perform a preview concert Thursday in the Barrus Concert Hall at 7:30 p.m. and again at Teton High School in Driggs on April 10 at 7 p.m. BYU-Idaho has plans to assemble a marching band during the spring semester, and all students interested in joining are encouraged to attend the concert.
“This will be an easy concert to be inspired by the themes and the sounds and the feelings,” Faires said. “We all need more peace, joy and happiness and that kind of thing in our life. This will be an easy way, an easy source to get that.”
The Thursday concert at BYU-Idaho requires ticket reservations. You can find them on tickets.byui.edu.