University to host 32nd annual ‘Concert in the Park’ April 27

The University of South Carolina band department will showcase its students’ talents in the 32nd annual “Concert in the Park” April 27.

The music will begin at 6 p.m. on the lawn in front of McKissick Museum on the Horseshoe. The concert is free and open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnic baskets.

“The program will be listener’s fare of pop-concert music that features marches, show tunes, dance music, polkas and light concert works as well as one or two serious band pieces,” said Dr. James Copenhaver, director of the band department.

The “Concert in the Park” program was started by Copenhaver during his first year at the university as an opportunity for students to learn and for the community to enjoy a light-hearted evening of music.

Featured selections will include short, light pieces by Leroy Anderson, Frank Ticheli, Clifton Williams, Percy Grainger and George Gershwin. The pieces will be performed by the University of South Carolina Symphonic and Concert bands and conducted by senior music-education majors. Music-education majors are required to conduct one of the two large band ensembles before they graduate, and the “Concert in the Park” is one of the best opportunities for those students to get experience.

For more information about “Bands on the Horseshoe,” contact the Band Office at 803-777-4278.