The University of Georgia Wind Ensemble, under the baton of new Director of Bands Nicholas Enrico Williams, presents “Music From Around the World.”
Nicholas Enrico Williams (Submitted photo)
The performance is Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Hodgson Hall at the Performing Arts Center. Visit www.music.uga.edu or call 706-542-4400 for tickets.
This concert features masterworks from composers from several continents and includes a United States premiere. To complement these works for wind band, the UGA Wind Ensemble will close with EXTRA (terrestrial) sounds that will be “out of this world.”
Though born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Williams moved with his family to Dallas when he was 8, “so, I essentially consider myself as a Texan in Georgia.” He holds three degrees in music, all from the University of North Texas.
Williams said he is very excited to start the new position at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music.
“The UGA band program has a long and storied history. I’d like to build upon that history and current practices to maintain the program’s stature within our profession,” he said. “Within our student population, I’d like to create and maintain a culture of music making where our emerging career musicians are willing to take musical risks, comfortable with collaboration, and excited to share their gifts and talents with each other (most importantly) and with the world.”
Prior to his time in Athens, Williams was the director of wind bands at the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (Melbourne, Australia). “One of the main ideas I’ve learned from my time in Oz [Australia] … there are great people and musicians all over the world willing to share their love of music. We’ve got to do a better job of connecting with our colleagues in other areas, countries and continents. Hopefully we can continue to do that here.”
Read more about Nicholas Enrico Williams at www.music.uga.edu.