McNeese Hosts Louisiana Intercollegiate Honor Band

McNeese State University will host the 2019 Louisiana Intercollegiate Honor Band Jan. 18-20. Over 80 college musicians representing 11 universities from across the state will converge on the McNeese campus for this event.

The honor band will perform in a free concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 20, in Tritico Theatre. The group will be conducted by Dr. Caroline Beatty, director of bands at Texas State University.

The concert will feature the world premiere of composer James Syler’s “Suite Louisiane,” a multi-movement work, featuring music representative of all corners of Louisiana, according to Jay N. Jacobs, McNeese director of bands.

Jacobs, who is also chair of the Louisiana chapter of the College Band Directors National Association, said member schools of CBDNA teamed together to commission this new composition for wind ensemble from the celebrated composer.

“For years, we have provided our student musicians with the opportunity to come together in performance of high-level musical literature in our intercollegiate band. Now the directors of our great university band programs have come together to provide for the creation of new and exciting music,” said Jacobs. “This is music not only for our Louisiana students, but also for students and audiences around the world. We are truly excited to commission new music from James Syler.”

Syler teaches composition at the University of Texas at San Antonio. “Louisiana is famous for its abundance of traditional ethnic music, including the state’s Native American tradition,” said Syler. “My job will be to weave together this diversity and richness into an exciting new symphonic work. Writing music that celebrates the people and their roots is for me the essence of American music.”

Persons needing accommodations as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the ADA Coordinator at 337-475-5428, voice; 337-475-5960, fax; 337-562-4227, TDD/TTY, hearing impaired; or by email at cdo@mcneese.edu.