2026-27 Season

November 7, 2026
7:30PM
Brendle Recital Hall

Piedmont Wind Symphony

Mark A. Norman, Artistic Director & Conductor

Andy Hudson, Clarinet
Garret Arney, Percussion
Ksenija Komljenović, Percussion
Antek Olesik, Percussion

Peter White, Percussion

Rex McGee, Fiddle

American
Gothic

“Barnum and Tesla’s Tandem Bicycle” from Steampunk Suite (2015/2017) – Erika Svanoe (b.1976)

TBA - David Mailman (b.2001)

David Mailman, Guest Conductor

Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble (2010) – Frank Ticheli (b. 1958)

I. Rhapsody for George

II. Song for Aaron

III. Riffs for Lenny

Andy Hudson, Clarinet

Re(new)al (2016 / 2018) - Viet Cuong (b.1990)

Garret Arney, Percussion

Peter White, Percussion

Ksenija Komljenović, Percussion

Antek Olesik, Percussion

“Pitchfork” from American Gothic (2013 / 2019) - Michael Daugherty (1954)

Rex McGee, Fiddle

Dancing Fire (2016) – Kevin Day (b.1996)

Step into a world where imagination, innovation, and artistry collide. This dynamic program celebrates the power of creativity across generations, from the steam-powered fantasies of a Victorian alternate history to bold visions of America's future.

Erika Svanoe’s Steampunk Suite opens the evening with a whimsical journey through an inventive world populated by historical icons, clockwork machinery, and the spirit of boundless possibility. Viet Cuong’s Re(new)al follows with a vibrant concerto for percussion quartet and wind ensemble, transforming everyday objects into instruments and exploring the collective energy that drives progress and renewal.

At the heart of the program is Frank Ticheli’s exhilarating Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble, featuring a virtuosic solo performance inspired by the music and personalities of Gershwin, Copland, and Bernstein. Equal parts dazzling and expressive, the concerto showcases the clarinet’s remarkable range and character.

The second half turns toward distinctly American landscapes and traditions. Michael Daugherty’s American Gothic draws inspiration from the paintings of Grant Wood, painting vivid musical portraits of rural Iowa through colorful orchestration, haunting lyricism, and playful humor. The concert concludes with Kevin Day’s Dancing Fire, an electrifying celebration of community and joy, capturing the image of friends gathered around a bonfire in a whirlwind of rhythm, energy, and exuberance.

Tickets

$10.00-$73.00

Andy Hudson, Clarinet

Clarinetist Andy Hudson joined the Lawrence University Conservatory of Music as Associate Professor in 2023. Praised for his virtuosity, expressive depth, and “irrepressible musicality,” he has performed across North America, Europe, and Africa at major venues including Carnegie Hall, the Elbphilharmonie, and the KKL Lucerne.

A sought-after soloist and collaborator, Hudson has appeared with leading orchestras such as the Atlanta Symphony, North Carolina Symphony, and Sarasota Orchestra, and is a frequent performer at major festivals and conferences. A champion of contemporary music, he has premiered more than 200 works and performs with ensembles including Latitude 49, Nu Deco Ensemble, and earspace.

An active educator and author, Hudson has taught at institutions across the U.S. and abroad and co-authored two books on contemporary clarinet technique. He holds degrees from Northwestern University and Columbus State University and is an artist with Buffet Crampon, Vandoren, and Rovner.

Garret Arney, Percussion

Garrett Arney is an active chamber musician, soloist, and educator recognized for his work among today’s most innovative artists. He is the cofounder of the Arx Music Association (“arx duo”), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to the creation of new music and meaningful engagement with audiences. As a collaborative performer, Garrett has appeared with Ensemble ACJW, the American Modern Opera Company, members of eighth blackbird, the Dover and Aeolus String Quartets, percussionist Jason Treuting, pianist Henry Kramer, and many others. He has also worked closely with leading composers such as Jonathan Bailey Holland, Steven Mackey, Nick Diberardino, and Juri Seo to bring new works to life.

As a soloist, Garrett has performed widely in major venues including Carnegie Hall, where he gave the premiere of Steven Mackey’s Micro Concerto, as well as Royal Albert Concert Hall and Walton Arts Center. He has appeared with orchestras across the country, performing new concerti with ensembles such as the Boise Philharmonic, Symphony Tacoma, Missoula Symphony, Auburn Symphony, Winchester Orchestra, Mission Hills Chamber Orchestra, and the Artosphere Festival Orchestra. His recent and upcoming seasons continue to feature premieres and performances that expand the percussion repertoire.

In addition to his performing career, Garrett is a dedicated educator and leader in the field. He has held faculty positions at the Peabody Conservatory, Michigan State University, Cleveland State University, University of Central Missouri, and the Curtis Young Artist Summer Program, and serves on the artistic committee and faculty of the Lake George Music Festival. He is an ambassador for Vic Firth, Adams Musical Instruments, Pearl Percussion, Zildjian Cymbals, and Evans Drumheads. Garrett holds degrees from Michigan State University, the Peabody Conservatory, and Yale University, and was a Fellow of Ensemble ACJW through Carnegie Hall.

Ksenija Komljenović (© Antoni Olesik) (1) (1).jpg

Ksenija Komljenović, Percussion

Ksenija Komljenović is an internationally acclaimed percussionist, educator, and composer, and a prizewinner of the International Percussion Competition Luxembourg. Her career has taken her across Europe, the United States, and Asia, where she has built a reputation for dynamic performances and impactful teaching. She currently serves on the faculty at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she was recently named the James L. and Blanche Bruton Barnhardt Endowed Professor. Notably, she is the first woman from Serbia to earn a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Percussion.

Ksenija has performed in major venues and festivals around the world, including a 2024/25 Carnegie Hall debut featuring the New York premiere of Gabriela Ortiz’s Can We Know the Sound of Forgiveness. That same season, she premiered Episodes for Marimba and Orchestra by Chris Boardman. A sought-after soloist, her concerto appearances include works by Viet Cuong, Mason Bates, and Emmanuel Séjourné, and she has presented hundreds of concerts and masterclasses at more than 70 institutions worldwide, reflecting her deep commitment to mentorship and global artistic exchange.

Beyond the stage, Ksenija is a versatile artist and leader in the field. She is co-founder of the genre-blending Vesna Duo, whose recordings and performances have received international recognition, and an accomplished composer whose works draw on her Slavic and Balkan heritage. Her music and collaborations have been featured in major cultural events and institutions, including the Memorial Museum of Ivo Andrić. An advocate for education and access, she has launched competitions, festivals, and educational initiatives, while also creating resources for young musicians. She holds degrees from the University of Miami, Illinois State University, and the Faculty of Music in Belgrade, and is a Marimba One Artist.

Antek Olesik, Percussion

Polish-born percussionist Antek Olesik (2000) started his musical education and won his first competition at the age of seven. He has since won twenty first prizes on a national and international level, including the First Prize of International Marimba Festiva Competition 2014 and 2018 (Bamberg, Germany), International Vibraphone Competition 2015 (Luxembourg), International Competition Young Virtuosos 2015 (Sofia, Bulgaria), Tomarimbando International Percussion Competition 2017 (Tomar, Portugal), and the Frost Concerto Competition 2021 (Miami, FL).

As a concerto soloist, Antek made his debut playing Ney Rosauro’s Second Marimba Concerto with the Collegium Musicum Aschaffenburg (Germany) at the age of twelve. He has since performed with the National Polish Radio Symphony Orchestra, Silesian Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, Silesian Chamber Orchestra, and Zabrze Philharmonic Orchestra. In September 2019, along with the Frost Percussion Group and New World Percussion Consort, he premiered Charles Wuorinen’s Second Percussion Symphony. He is a member of the PNEUMA chamber ensemble.

Upon graduating from the studio of Krzysztof Jaguszewski at State Secondary Music School Karol Szymanowski (Katowice) in 2019, Antek joined the Frost School of Music, pursuing his Bachelor of Music Degree under the guidance of Svet Stoyanov and Joseph Petrasek. He holds the University of Miami’s President’s Scholarship and DiMare Exceptional Music Scholarship. Antek is the winner of the inaugural 2021 Frost Artist Launch Competition.

Rex McGee, Fiddle

Rex McGee’s musical work grows out of long engagement with traditional American forms, particularly old-time, bluegrass, and related acoustic traditions. While much of his playing draws on established repertoire, his recorded projects focus on original composition and the structural possibilities within traditional instrumentation.

Rather than treating tradition as a fixed body of material, McGee approaches it as an active practice shaped by rhythm, melody, and the ways traditional forms invite variation. Across both solo and ensemble settings, his work makes room for experimentation, humor, and personal voice while remaining grounded in the mechanics of traditional music-making.

Peter White, Percussion

Peter White is a versatile solo and chamber percussionist from Tacoma, Washington, whose musical path began with piano and drum set before evolving into a focus on mallet and multiple percussion. He studied at the University of Oregon with Pius Cheung, where he made his orchestral debut with the Eugene Symphony and appeared as a soloist at the Oregon Bach Festival performing Xenakis’ Rebonds b. He continued his studies with Svetoslav Stoyanov at the University of Miami and later earned his Doctor of Musical Arts from SUNY Stony Brook under Eduardo Leandro.

An accomplished performer, Peter has appeared on international stages and in prestigious competitions. He was a semifinalist in both the TROMP International Percussion Competition and the International Percussion Competition Luxembourg as part of the duo membranophŌn, formed with Joe DeMarco. His performance career has included appearances at Carnegie Hall with the Children’s Orchestra Society, as well as collaborations with ensembles such as Nu Deco Ensemble and Elemental Culture, performing across the United States and Europe.

Peter is an active collaborator in a wide range of chamber settings. He has performed as a substitute percussionist with Pathos Trio, premiering new works and participating in residencies at Avaloch Farms Music Institute. He is also a member of the percussion quintet Pneuma, which has performed internationally, and the contemporary chamber trio Sputter Box, an ensemble dedicated to expanding repertoire for its unique instrumentation, with recent performances at the Minnesota Fringe Festival.

Still on the Fence?

We get it—attending a new event can come with a few questions. Whether you're wondering about parking, what to wear, bringing the family, accessibility, or what to expect from the performance, we've gathered answers to our most frequently asked questions below.

If you don't see the information you're looking for, we're happy to help. Reach out to our team, and we'll make sure you have everything you need for a great concert experience.

Tickets

Reserve your seats online in just a few clicks. We recommend purchasing in advance, as popular performances may sell out.

Questions about tickets? Contact us at 336.770.5025 or hello@pwsymphony.org.

Venue Location

1775 Wake Forest Rd, Winston-Salem, NC 27109

Parking

Visitors may park in Lot Q, which typically has ample space for concert attendees, as well as Lots A and B and designated street parking along Wake Forest Road. Parking is available after 5:00 PM on weekdays and throughout the weekend.

From Lot Q, simply walk to the breezeway connecting the two wings of Scales Fine Arts Center and enter through the glass doors on the right. The Box Office is located just inside the lobby.

When Should I Arrive?

The performance will begin promptly at 7:30PM. Doors will open at 6:50PM.

What Should I Wear?

We want everyone to feel comfortable and enjoy the concert, so there's no formal dress code. Whether you prefer casual attire, business casual, or something a little more festive, you're welcome just as you are.

First time at Piedmont
Wind Symphony?

You're in the right place.

Our concerts are designed for everyone: from lifelong classical music fans to first-time attendees. No prior knowledge is required. Simply sit back, relax, and enjoy a live musical experience unlike any other.

Can I Bring Children?

Brendle Recital Hall is kid-friendly. PWS's Symphonic Series programming is designed for concert attendees of all ages and backgrounds.

Accessibility

Brendle Recital Hall offers designated accessible seating in the back row of the hall, located immediately after entering the space.

Scales Fine Arts Center also provides two wheelchair-accessible routes to the concert hall. Guests parking in Lot Q may enter through the lower-level doors to the left of the large staircase in the breezeway, then proceed straight to the elevator. Brendle Recital Hall’s lobby is located just outside the elevator on the second floor.

Guests parking near Wait Chapel may enter Upper Scales using the front ramp, proceed through the first set of double doors on the right, and take the elevator down to the second floor. For additional guidance, guests may refer to Wake Forest’s campus accessibility map.

Why Attend Live?

Streaming music is convenient. Experiencing it live is unforgettable.

Feel the power of a wind symphony, hear every detail of the performance, and share an evening with hundreds of fellow music lovers. Every concert is a one-of-a-kind experience that can only happen in the moment.

November 7, 2026 7:30PM Brendle Recital Hall

American Gothic

Andy Hudson, Clarinet

Still on the Fence?

We get it—attending a new event can come with a few questions. Whether you're wondering about parking, what to wear, bringing the family, accessibility, or what to expect from the performance, we've gathered answers to our most frequently asked questions below.

​

Tickets

Venue Location

When Should I Arrive?

What Should I Wear?

First time at Piedmont Wind Symphony?

Can I Bring Children?

Accessibility

Why Attend Live?

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November 7, 2026
7:30PM
Brendle Recital Hall

American
Gothic

First time at Piedmont
Wind Symphony?