Soloists have traditionally been an important part of band concerts since the days of John Philip Sousa and before, but in more contemporary years vocal soloists are rare. This year's program features two soloists, one vocal and one wind, and includes works by classical and contemporary composers. A new piece by young composer Eric Nathan, entitled Fanfare, has been performed only twice before and will be an exciting concert opener. A humorous piece by P. D. Q. Bach, adapted by Peter Schickele, will feature an array of unusual instruments not typically found on a concert stage. Michael Daugherty's Alligator Alley celebrates this unique animal often seen along the interstate crossing the Florida Everglades National Park. Listeners can imagine the alligator represented by bassoons while the brass represents the hunters and poachers killing alligators for profit. Additional pieces by Texidor, Chance, Phillips, Fauré, and Holst will be performed.

Bassoon soloist Amanda Kosloski, from West Harwich, Mass., is a senior music performance major at KSC and will graduate in December. Since attending KSC, she has participated in The New England Intercollegiate Band and has been a member of the KSC Concert Band, KSC Chamber Orchestra, KSC Concert Choir, and KSC Percussion Ensemble. Kosloski will be featured during a piece written by Burrill Phillips.

Voice soloist Shannon Ward (mezzo-soprano), from Sutton, Vt., is majoring in choral music education at KSC and will graduate in 2009. She has been an active member of the KSC Chamber Singers as well as the KSC Concert Choir, with whom she traveled to Florida to perform at Disney World in the Christmas Candlelight Processional at Epcot in 2006. Ward will be featured during Gabriel Fauré's piece, "Pie Jesu" from Requiem in D Minor op. 48.

The band is conducted by Dr. James Chesebrough, who received his Music Education bachelor's degree from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, and his Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees from the University of Connecticut. Before coming to KSC, he spent 26 years as a band director in public schools in Ohio and New Hampshire. After one year as visiting music director of the Yale University Bands at KSC, he became a full time member of the Keene State music faculty in 2007.

The KSC Concert Band is made up Keene State students, several community members, and an occasional guest artist.

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