The West Virginia University Wind Symphony will perform a concert in honor of legendary director Don Wilcox on September 8 at 2 p.m. in the Canady Creative Arts Center.
Director of Bands Emeritus Don Wilcox died on May 27, 2024, at 88 years old. He served as director of bands for WVU for 34 years before retiring in 2005. Afterward, he remained one of the program’s top supporters.
“We are pleased to honor the legacy of Don Wilcox through our music,” said Scott Tobias, director of bands and associate professor at the School of Music. "For this concert, the Wind Symphony will present works written for Mr. Wilcox, works related to his career, and a few of his favorites.”
During “A Tribute to Don Wilcox,” the Wind Symphony will perform “Shimmering Sunshine,” “Husaria Cavalry Overture,” “Irish Tune from County Derry,” “The ABA March,” “Take Me Home, Country Roads” and “Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral.” The performance is free and open to the public.
Don Wilcox
In a 2021 interview with the American Bandmasters Association (ABA), Wilcox reflected on starting the Wind Symphony.
“When I first went there, the band director was the marching band guy, and he did the Broadway show musical pit orchestra in the spring, and the concert band was kind of an interesting afterthought,” he said. “After two or three years, the concert band got big enough that we had a top group and a second group. So, we called it a symphonic wind ensemble and a concert band...I think they wound up calling it the Wind Symphony by the time I left. I kind of like that.”
The Wind Symphony wasn’t the only program Wilcox developed. He played a vital role in all the college’s ensembles, including the Mountaineer Marching Band. Wilcox is responsible for the addition of women to the “The Pride of West Virginia” and is the creator of its famous pregame show.
“He always wanted the best for the program - no matter who the Director has been since his retirement,” said John Hendricks, former associate dean of the WVU College of Creative Arts and Professor Emeritus. “He invested so many years developing and maintaining this program, that it has been an honor to continue this legacy.”
Beloved by students and colleagues, Wilcox’s former ensembles have been eager to honor him. In July, the WVU Alumni Band traveled to Northport, Michigan, to perform in a concert honoring Wilcox, and current “Pride of West Virginia” members will wear pins with Wilcox’s initials on their uniforms throughout the 2024 season.
The WVU Wind Symphony is composed of about 50 top wind and percussion students at the university. “A Tribute to Don Wilcox” is the first of three performances by the ensemble this semester, followed by “Nature Songs” on October 8 and “Classics” on November 19.
For more information about the Wind Symphony, visit bands.wvu.edu. Learn more about Don Wilcox’s legacy here.