Lyceum Series Features World-Renowned New York Philharmonic Trombonist

by Lauren Venegas, student newswriter, (254) 710-6805

The Baylor University Wind Ensemble will feature guest soloist Joseph Alessi, principal trombonist of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, as part of the 2008 Lyceum Concert Series. The event, free and open to the public, will be conducted by J. Eric Wilson, Director of Bands, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 at the Jones Concert Hall in the Glennis McCrary Music Building on the Baylor campus.

Alessi will perform as soloist in Bert Appermont's four-movement Colors, a work from 1998.

Also to be heard on the program are Gustav Holst's transcription for wind band of Johann Sebastian Bach's Fugue à la Gigue, originally written for organ around 1705, and Holst's own Hammersmith: Prelude and Scherzo, Op. 52, from 1930.
The program will conclude with the Johan de Meij arrangement of "Dance I" from Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich's Jazz Suite No. 2.
"Joseph Alessi is one of the world's most prominent orchestral trombonists, so Baylor is excited to have him perform here with the Wind Ensemble," said Dick Veit, concert and promotion manager for the Baylor School of Music. "In addition to performing as soloist in Belgian composer Bert Appermont's 'Colors,' he will work with Baylor students in a Sunday master class and present a full recital that same day."
In 1995, Alessi was appointed as principal trombone of New York Philharmonic. Prior to joining the Philharmonic, Mr. Alessi was second trombone of The Philadelphia Orchestra and principal trombone of L'Orchestre symphonique de Montreal for one season. He is currently on the faculty of the Julliard School of Music in New York City. He also has performed as guest principal trombonist with the London Symphony Orchestra in Carnegie Hall led by Pierre Boulez.

In addition, Alessi has performed as a soloist with several leading concert bands, including the U.S. Military Academy Band at West Point, U.S. Army Band and the U.S. Marine Band.

"Music students will benefit greatly from Mr. Alessi's wealth of experience as a performer and teacher," Veit said. "Other students and members of the Waco community who attend this Wind Ensemble concert will be privileged to hear one of our nation's finest brass soloists."

The Lyceum Series began in 1976, and has been funded by the Meadows Foundation of Dallas since 1980.

For more information, call the Baylor's School of Music at (254) 710-3991.