Rocky Mountain Wind Symphony

First Christian Church Concert Series is presenting the Rocky Mountain Wind Symphony, directed by Kenneth Soper. The ensemble will perform works by Robert Jager, Gabriel Fauré, Claude Debussy, John Philip Sousa, a movement of Symphony No. 1 for Organ and Orchestra by Alexandre Guilmant, featuring organist Carol Wilson, and more. A free will offering will be taken. For more information, call 719.633.8888 or visit us online.

The Rocky Mountain Wind Symphony was formed in 2012 by a group of Colorado Springs musicians with one mission in mind: to provide audiences with exciting performances of the finest literature available for wind ensemble. The performers are professional musicians from Colorado Springs and surrounding communities who have performed with or are currently performing with other fine ensembles, including the Colorado Springs Philharmonic, the United States Air Force Academy Band, the Chamber Orchestra of the Springs, Little London Winds, the Pueblo Symphony Orchestra and the Colorado Wind Ensemble. Each player brings an extraordinary level of skill and musicianship to this ensemble. Works to be performed: Robert Jager, Esprit de Corps; Gabriel Fauré, Pavane; Claude Debussy, The Engulfed Cathedral; Alexandre Guilmant, Symphony No. 1 for Organ and Orchestra, 1st movement, with Carol Wilson, organist; Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov, Procession Of The Nobles; Fred Allen, They Led My Lord Away; Fischer Tull, March For Tripod; Alfred Reed, El Camino Real; John Philip Sousa, Hands Across The Sea (encore). Kenneth P. Soper earned a Bachelor of Science degree in French horn performance from the Mannes College of Music and a Master of Music Education degree from the Manhattan School of Music, both in New York City. While in New York, he performed with the Stuttgart Ballet Orchestra, the Opera Orchestra of New York, the Harkness Ballet Orchestra and the Nassau Symphony Orchestra. For ten years he was principal French horn of the American Concert Band. From 1989 through 1998, Mr. Soper served as Director of Brass Studies and conductor of the Symphonic Winds at Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus. He was appointed music director and conductor of the Atlantic Wind Symphony in 1987. He held that position until he retired in 2006. He currently performs with the Pueblo Symphony Orchestra and the Colorado Wind Ensemble. An avid music arranger, Mr. Soper has completed more than fifty works for brass ensemble and several major works for concert band, which are published by the Neil Kjos Music Publishing Company and the Grand Mesa Music Publishers. He was an active music educator for thirty-five years and retains his membership in the Music Educators National Conference and the New York State Music Educators Association. He is a past president of the New York State Council of Administrators of Music Education and the Suffolk County Music Educators Association. His conducting career includes performances at Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall.