Pictures at an Exhibition

May 1, 2026 7:30PM Brendle Recital Hall

Piedmont Wind Symphony
Mark A. Norman, Artistic Director & Conductor

Soloists from "The President's Own" United States Marine Band

A powerful program that bridges sound, imagery, and urgent storytelling. Mussorgsky’s iconic Pictures at an Exhibition is brought to life with film, transforming this classic suite into a multi-sensory journey through music and art.

Paired with it is The Bird-While by Gala Flagello, a 2024 Sousa-ABA Ostwald Composition Contest finalist. This striking concerto for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, and winds—based on Keith Taylor’s poem “Acolytes in the Bird-While”—explores the beauty of Michigan’s ecosystems and the human struggle to persist in the face of climate change. Featuring guest soloists from "The President's Own" United States Marine Band, this performance brings extraordinary artistry to a message of environmental urgency.