Alfred Reed, one of this country's most prolific band composers, will guest conduct this year's Utah Intercollegiate Band Concert Saturday in Kingsbury Hall.
The concert, to begin at 3 p.m., will wrap up two days of workshops and rehearsals for more than 100 college and university band students from around the state. Staged on a rotating basis, it is being presented this year at the University of Utah.Featured will be the Utah premiere of Reed's latest composition, "Praise Jerusalem. Born in New York in 1921, Reed turned out nearly 100 compositions and arrangements during the three years he spent attached to the 529th Army Air Force Band in World War II. Later he studied with Vittorio Giannini at the Juilliard School of Music and, in 1948, was named staff composer and arranger first at NBC and then ABC.
Subsequently he accepted posts at Baylor University and the University of Miami, holding there a joint appointment in theory and composition and music education.
To date Reed has published more than 250 pieces for bands, wind ensembles, choruses, orchestras and other chamber groups. His commissions number in the 60s, with several still pending.
In addition to "Praise Jerusalem," the program for Saturday's concert will include Reed's Ballade for Saxophone and Band, with Mark Ely as soloist, together with arrangements of Bach and Turina.
General-admission tickets, at $3 ($1 students/children), will be available at the door.