The West Virginia University Wind Symphony, under the direction of Don Wilcox, will perform a winter concert as part of the activities involved in the annual WVU High School Invitational Honors Band event at the CreativeArtsCenter Feb. 14-16.


The Wind Symphony Concert takes place Friday, Feb. 14, at 7:30 p.m. in the Mountainlair Ballrooms. Appearing as guest conductors will be William Gora of Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C., and Lee Stevens, band director at AtholtonHigh School in Columbia, Md.


According to Wilcox, since Feb. 14 is Valentines Day, the Wind Symphony has planned a concert of band music focused on love and romance.


The first half of the program will feature Umberto Giordanos master work”Andrea Chenier,”based on the life of the French poet;”If Thou Be Near,”a love song written by Bach for his wife;”La Boutique Fantasque,”a ballet that takes place in a doll shop, by Rossini-Respighi; and”Jai ete au Bal”(I Went to the Dance) by Donald Grantham, which is a celebration of the musical styles of Louisiana, including Cajun and the brass band tradition of New Orleans.


“La Boutique Fantasque”will be conducted by Gora.


Following intermission, the Wind Symphony will present”Our Flirtations,”from a musical comedy revolving around a party of flirtatious picnickersby John Philip Sousa; the”William Byrd Suite,”based on the music of the famous organist, by Gordon Jacob;and”West Side Story”(symphonic dance music) from the famous musical by Leonard Bernstein.


Stevens will conduct”Our Flirtations.”Jay Drury, adjunct assistant director of the WVU Bands, will conduct the”William Byrd Suite”and Associate Director of Bands John Hendricks will conduct”West Side Story.”


The fitting ending for the evenings program is a wedding.”Wedding Dance,”by Jacques Press, is taken from”Hasseneh,”a symphonic suite for orchestra.


For tickets and information, call the Mountainlair Box Office at (304) 293-SHOW.


The High School Invitational Honors Band event begins Thursday evening when student musicians from high schools in West Virginia and several surrounding states audition. They then rehearse for two days before presenting the annual Honor Bands Concert Saturday, Feb. 15, at 2 p.m. in the Eiesland Hall Auditorium. The concert is free and open to the public. The students are recommended by their high school band directors and selected on the basis of their ability and accomplishments.


Wilcox and Assistant Director John Hendricks are hosts for the event. Gora and Stevens will be guest conductors.


For more information about the WVU Invitational High School Honor Bands Concert, contact the WVUCreativeArtsCenter at 304-293-4841, ext. 3108.