Part I
Concert Band
At Dawn We Rise
Ben Hylton
At Dawn We Rise opens with a quiet, expectant stillness — the hush of a world not yet awake.
Composer Ben Hylton builds the work from a single melodic idea, layering voices until the full ensemble
erupts in a declaration of momentum and light. The title captures the spirit of the piece exactly:
effort, hope, and the decision to begin.
Salvation Is Created
Pavel Tschesnokoff / arr. Bruce Houseknecht
Originally composed in 1912 as a choral anthem for the Russian Orthodox church, Salvation Is Created
has become one of the most beloved transcriptions in the wind band repertoire. Tschesnokoff's harmonies
move with the weight and warmth of a cathedral — slow, inevitable, and deeply felt. Bruce Houseknecht's
arrangement preserves every ounce of the original's reverence.
Havendance
David Holsinger
David Holsinger's Havendance is a rhythmic showcase from start to finish — unpredictable meter,
driving percussion, and melodies that dart and pivot across the ensemble. Holsinger describes the piece
as a dance of the haven, a place of refuge expressed through energy rather than calm. It demands
precision, coordination, and a shared pulse that only comes from months of disciplined work together.
Class of 2026
Recognizing Our Seniors
- Buie, Jalen Percussion
- Cassada, Matthew Trombone
- Heglar, Dylan Trombone
- Lewis, Addison Flute
- Littlejohn, Lizzie Flute
- McIntyre, Karen Trumpet
- Morrison, Heather Clarinet
- Zizzamia, Tyler French Horn
Tonight, we honor the graduating seniors of our band program. Their dedication, leadership,
and love for music have shaped this ensemble in countless ways. As they move on to new adventures,
we thank them for the memories and the music. Congratulations, seniors — your legacy plays on.
Part III — Wind Ensemble
Lord of the Rings
Premiered in 1988 and awarded the prestigious Sudler International Wind Band Composition Prize,
Johan de Meij's Lord of the Rings stands as one of the most ambitious works ever written
for concert band. Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's epic trilogy, the symphony traces the entire arc
of Middle-earth across five movements — each a world unto itself.
I. Gandalf
The wizard: ancient, wise, and formidable. De Meij opens with a broad, noble theme that hints
at immeasurable depth beneath a calm exterior. Power held in reserve — until it isn't.
II. Lothlórien
The elven forest of Galadriel. Shimmering and ethereal, this movement stands entirely apart
from the rest — hushed, timeless, otherworldly. De Meij suspends time itself here.
III. Gollum
Perhaps the symphony's most inventive movement. A bassoon solo becomes Gollum himself:
slippery, pitiable, and unsettling. The ensemble shifts around him like the shadows he haunts.
IV. Journey in the Dark
The Fellowship enters Moria. Darkness closes in and the walls press tighter with every measure.
De Meij writes with full orchestral force here — the Balrog is unmistakable.
V. Hobbits
A return to the Shire and the simple joy of home. The finale resolves the entire symphony
with warmth and hard-earned peace — the journey complete, the road behind them.
Robert Parker — Director
Robert Parker is now in his 20th year serving as the Director of Bands at Ashley High School.
An Appalachian State University alumnus with a Bachelor of Music Education (2006), he has
enriched his career with diverse roles across North Carolina and Virginia, including percussion
instruction, conducting, and adjudication in various educational and musical settings.
Notably, Mr. Parker has guest conducted the NCBA Eastern All-District 9/10 Band and various
All-County Bands. A highlight of his career was leading the Ashley High School Wind Ensemble
at the 2016 NCMEA Professional Development Conference in Winston-Salem. He currently serves
as the South MPA Chair for NCBAED.
An accomplished percussionist, Mr. Parker performs with several esteemed ensembles, including
the Wilmington Symphony, Cape Fear Chorale, and the Tallis Chamber Orchestra. He plays a
pivotal role in the Wilmington Symphonic Winds, both as board president and percussionist.
Mr. Parker is affiliated with NAfME, NCMEA, NCBA, PAS, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, and Tri-M
Music Honors Society. He resides in Wilmington, North Carolina, with his wife Sarah,
daughter Charlotte, and their dog Jethro.
