Guest conductor adds international flair to UWS band performance

Estonian band conductor Bert Langeler joins the University of Wisconsin-Superior Symphonic Band for an evening of music from Estonia, the United States and Germany at 7:30 p.m. Thursday in Thorpe Langley Auditorium in Old Main on campus.

The concert also features UWS jazz director. Greg Kehl Moore performing on soprano saxophone. Cody Nichols of Carlton, Minn., who’s majoring in music education, conducts the Symphonic Band and Michael Ugrich of Bovey, Minn., who’s majoring in guitar performance, conducts the Chamber Wind Ensemble.

Langeler has conducted and taught for more than 25 years in the Netherlands and Estonia. He has organized numerous national and international educational programs, concerts, campus and day programs.

Langeler will be on the UWS campus for a week to work with students and to discuss Estonian music. Pamela Bustos, band director at the university and conductor of its Symphonic Band, invited Langeler as part of her efforts to include an international experience for UW-Superior music students.

Nichols is a senior pursuing a Bachelor of Music Education, Instrumental degree. He studies conducting with Bustos and saxophone with Moore. He will be student teaching at Esko High School in the spring semester. He plans to pursue a career as a public school band director.

Ugrich is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in music degree. He studies guitar with Tyler Kaiser, conducting with Bustos, and composition with Moore. He received the 2010 Matinee Musicale scholarship and is winner of the 2010 UW-Superior Concerto Competition. He plans to pursue a master’s degree in orchestral conducting.

Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for seniors and students. Parking is available in university lots off Catlin Avenue, 19th Street and Weeks Avenue. For information, call (715) 394-8115 or go to uwsuper.edu/directions.

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