The Illinois State University Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts and School of Music invite all to attend the second performance of the 2025-2026 Wind Symphony concert season on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 3 p.m. in the Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall.
Titled From the White House to Our House, the concert celebrates the legacy of Colonel John R. Bourgeois and his countless contributions to the excellence and legacy of the American wind band tradition.
“Few musicians have left a legacy as enduring as Colonel John R. Bourgeois. His artistry, leadership, and dedication to wind band music have inspired countless musicians across generations. As both a conductor and a fellow Louisianan, I am deeply honored to share this concert with one of my greatest heroes.” stated Director of Bands and Wind Symphony conductor Anthony Marinello.
The first half of the concert will feature John Stafford Smith’s (ed. Sousa, Damrosch, Brion) The Star Spangled Banner; Jacques Offenbach’s (arr. Bourgeois) Galop from “Genevieve de Brabant”; Richard Wagner’s (arr. Bourgeois) Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral; and John Philip Sousa’s (arr. Bourgeois) Semper Fidelis.
Following an intermission, the Wind Symphony will perform Julie Giroux’s Louisiana Parish Sketches; John Philip Sousa’s (arr. Brion and Schissel) Hands Across the Sea with graduate conductor Wesley Anderson; and Boris Kozhevnikov’s (arr. Bourgeois) Symphony No.3.: Slavyanskaya.
Director Emeritus Colonel John R. Bourgeois, USMC (Ret.), was the 25th director of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band. His acclaimed career spanned nine presidential administrations, from Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower to Bill Clinton. Bourgeois is a graduate of Loyola University in New Orleans. He joined the Marine Corps in 1956 and entered “The President’s Own” as a French hornist and arranger in 1958. Named Director of the Marine Band in 1979, Bourgeois was promoted to colonel in June 1983. He retired from active duty July 11, 1996. Bourgeois conducted his final concert as Director of “The President’s Own,” July 11, 1996 (the band’s 198th birthday), at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C. Since retiring from the Marine Band, Bourgeois has been actively involved in music as a guest conductor, has published new editions of classic band compositions, and is a visiting professor in a chair endowed in his name at Loyola University in New Orleans.
Tickets
Tickets are $12 for general admission, $8 for seniors, and $6 for Illinois State students, faculty and staff, and can be purchased in person at the Center for the Performing Arts Box Office, by calling (309) 438-2535, or on the box office website.
Illinois State alumni receive a special Homecoming discount. Tickets purchased online using code ALUMNI are $10 for general admission and $6 for seniors.
Active, reserve, and retired military members are invited to join us for this special concert. Tickets for miliary members are $6 with code MILITARY25.
Q&A with Colonel Bourgeois
A Q&A with Colonel Bourgeois facilitated by Marinello will take place in the Kemp Recital Hall prior to the concert, from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. This opportunity is open to public, unticketed with limited seating – available on a first come basis. Those who have a copy of Bourgeois’ memoir, Play On! are invited to bring their book to the Q&A where a brief meet and greet and opportunity to have the book signed will be offered. Please contact FineArts@IllinoisState.edu with any questions related to the pre-concert Q&A.
The Illinois State University Wind Symphony is the University’s premier wind band and features the finest wind and percussion musicians on campus. Under Marinello’s leadership, the Wind Symphony has been invited to perform at the 2022 College Band Directors National Association North Central Regional Conference at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, twice at the Illinois Music Education Conference in Peoria, and for numerous band programs and festivals throughout Illinois.
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Additional information regarding upcoming events in the Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts can be found on the University’s events calendar. You can follow Wonsook Kim College of Fine Arts on social media and keep up to date with fine arts news online.
If you need accommodation to fully participate in this program, contact the Center for the Performing Arts Box Office at (309) 438-2535. Please allow sufficient time to arrange the accommodation.
