Registration continues for the state’s first Wyoming Arts Summit and Wyoming Arts Council 40th Anniversary Dinner Gala to be held at the Casper Events Center Oct. 19-20.The Arts Summit brings together artists and governmental leaders from throughout the state to discuss how the arts and other cultural events can enhance economic prosperity in Wyoming communities. This is an initiative of First Lady Nancy Freudenthal.
In conjunction with the Arts Summit, the Arts Council will celebrate its 40th anniversary with a Dinner Gala hosted by Nancy Freudenthal and attended by honored guest and evening speaker Senator Mike Enzi. The Dinner Gala will begin at 6:30 p.m., October 19, at the Casper Events Center.
The evening will feature one hour of choral, symphonic and jazz music presented by performers from throughout Wyoming.
Dr. Michael Griffith and the 93-member University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra will perform "Wind River" from Joseph Curiale’s "The Music of Life." Curiale composed this piece specifically for the UW Orchestra’s millennium concert. Joining the symphony are 18 additional Wyoming musicians. Photographs of the landscapes, which inspired Curiale’s music, will be featured in a video/photographic presentation during the concert.
Saxophonist Dr. Scott Turpen will conduct and perform with the University of Wyoming Jazz Ensemble I. The group will be joined by trumpeter, Dr. Thomas Pfotenhauer, guest professor of saxophone at UW. They will open the program with a modern version of the jazz classic, Joe Garland’s, "In the Mood," as well as other jazz selections.
Under the direction of Pat Patton of Casper College, four choruses will sing various selections, concluding a combined program with a 150-voice and symphonic rendition of "America the Beautiful." The choruses scheduled to perform are the Casper College Chorale; the Cheyenne Chamber Choir, Jane Iverson, director; Lyman High School Choir, T.J. Dick, director; and the Casper Children’s Chorus, Marcia Patton, director.
The Wyoming Arts Council has collaborated with Casey Kearns, assistant professor of Theater, UW, for the effects and technical aspects of the multi-faceted evening.
Register for the Summit by contacting the Wyoming Arts Council at 307-777-7742 or ebratt@state.wy.us. The cost is $125.
To attend the Friday evening banquet only, reserve your $25 dinner tickets by contacting the Arts Council.
