The Ohio State School of Music’s Wind Symphony and Collegiate Winds, conducted by Russel Mikkelson, will present a concert honoring composer Michael Daugherty at 8 p.m. Tuesday in Weigel Auditorium.

Daugherty grew up in a musical family. After acquiring a bachelor’s degree in music from the University of North Texas, he studied for a master’s degree at the Manhattan School of Music and received a doctorate from Yale School of Music.

“The inspiration for much of my music comes from icons of the American pop culture,” Daugherty said.

His connection to popular works and characters inspires his work at every level. The “Metropolis Symphony,” which will be performed at the concert, is based on the story of Superman.

Daugherty is a composer and teacher. As one of the 10 most performed living American composers, Daugherty will be Composer-in-Residence with the OSU School of Music’s band program for the concert. As a teacher, he is professor of composition at the University of Michigan School of Music, Theater & Dance.

“This is an annual event,” said Mikkelson, director of OSU’s band program. “The OSU band program has brought an influential composer in the band world to campus for the last few years to give students the opportunity to spend time with them.”

Mikkelson said the concert features performances by the Wind Symphony, Collegiate Winds and Symphonic Band, with guest artists from the Columbus Symphony and the School of Music.

“The Wind Symphony, with Susan Powell, a School of Music faculty member, will perform movements from Daugherty’s ‘UFO,’ a concerto for symphonic band and solo percussion,” Mikkelson said. Other works being played that night will include “Raise the Roof” and “Red Cape Tango.”

“The Collegiate Winds, under the direction of doctoral conducting student John Oelrich, will perform ‘Alligator Alley,’ named for the section of I-75 that runs through Florida’s Everglades National Park,” Mikkelson said. “Professor Richard Blatti will lead the Symphonic Band in [the song] ‘Niagara Falls,’ inspired both by the natural beauty of the falls and its ‘tourist trap’ aspects.”

Mikkelson said that Daugherty will attend rehearsals on Sunday night with Wind Symphony, which will perform four pieces out of the six in the concert. Tuesday, before the concert, Daugherty will also meet with advanced conducting students and student composers.

“We are really excited to have Daugherty here,” Mikkelson said.
“[The] Ohio State School of Music is one of the best in the country,” Daugherty said. “That is why I decided to do [the concert].”

Fore more information about Daugherty, visit michaeldaugherty.net.
Weigel Auditorium is in Weigel Hall at 1866 College Road. Tickets are $4 for senior citizens and students and $6 for general admission.