PIEDMONT WIND SYMPHONY REIMAGINES THE CONCERT EXPERIENCE WITH AMERICAN GOTHIC, NOVEMBER 7

Six featured artists and five contemporary works collide in an electrifying evening of bluegrass, jazz, Latin rhythms, and unexpected musical innovation.

What happens when a symphony concert trades convention for curiosity? On Saturday, November 7, at 7:30 p.m., Piedmont Wind Symphony (PWS) invites audiences to find out with American Gothic, an adventurous program that challenges expectations of what a wind ensemble can sound like. Presented at Brendle Recital Hall at Wake Forest University, the concert brings together six featured artists and five imaginative works that blur the boundaries between contemporary classical music, jazz, bluegrass, and Latin musical traditions.

Under the direction of Artistic Director and Conductor Mark A. Norman, American Gothic showcases composers who are reshaping the concert experience through inventive instrumentation, compelling storytelling, and an unmistakable sense of adventure. From a percussion concerto inspired by renewable energy to a musical interpretation of Grant Wood's iconic painting, the program celebrates the extraordinary possibilities of sound.

This is a concert not to be missed! Audiences will experience virtuosic soloists stretching the boundaries of their instruments, gripping and imaginative soundscapes evoking compelling, vivid imagery, and musical tributes to American icons George Gershwin, Aaron Copland, and Leonard Bernstein,” said Mark A. Norman, Artistic Director and Conductor of Piedmont Wind Symphony. “From the sounds of bluegrass and jazz to the exhilarating rhythms of a Cuban merengue, this program showcases the remarkable versatility, energy, and power of our magnificent Piedmont Wind Symphony!

FIVE WORKS. SIX FEATURED ARTISTS. ONE UNEXPECTED EVENING.

The evening opens with Gabriela Ortiz's Kauyumari, a vibrant, rhythmically charged work inspired by the spiritual traditions of Mexico's Wixárika (Huichol) people. Drawing upon themes of transformation and renewal, Ortiz creates a hypnotic musical landscape that sets the stage for an evening of exploration.

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Four internationally accomplished percussionists—Garrett Arney, Ksenija Komljenović,Antek Olesik, and Peter White—then take center stage for Viet Cuong's Re(new)al, an electrifying concerto inspired by hydroelectric, wind, and solar energy. Through prepared vibraphones, unconventional techniques, and unexpected sounds, the work challenges audiences to reconsider what qualifies as a musical instrument.

The first half concludes with Michael Daugherty's "Pitchfork" from American Gothic, featuring North Carolina fiddler Rex McGee. Inspired by Grant Wood's iconic 1930 painting, Daugherty transforms the familiar rural American image into a playful collision of bluegrass, folk influences, and bold orchestral writing.

Following intermission, acclaimed clarinetist Andy Hudson takes the spotlight for Frank Ticheli's Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble. Its three movements pay tribute to American musical icons George Gershwin, Aaron Copland, and Leonard Bernstein, moving between lyrical expression, jazz-inflected virtuosity, and exhilarating rhythmic energy.

The evening concludes with Dennis Llinás's La Chancla, a spirited, work inspired by one of Latin culture's most recognizable cultural references: the ubiquitous household slipper. Bursting with rhythmic vitality, humor, and theatrical flair, the piece brings the concert to an exuberant finish.

A NEW VISION FOR THE WIND ENSEMBLE

As one of the Southeast's distinctive professional wind ensembles, Piedmont Wind Symphony continues to push artistic boundaries through ambitious programming, collaboration, and a commitment to making live music accessible to all audiences.

We are experiencing a remarkable era for the modern wind ensemble, with some of today's most exciting composers embracing the medium and exploring its extraordinary possibilities,” said Norman. “At Piedmont Wind Symphony, we celebrate these living composers by regularly commissioning new works and bringing their creative visions to life onstage. As one of the few non-military professional wind ensembles in the country, we have the unique opportunity to perform this music at the highest artistic level, right here in Winston-Salem. Our sound is what sets us apart. The richness, versatility, and sheer power of a professional wind ensemble create an experience audiences simply won't find anywhere else. Sharing that distinctive sound with our community is at the heart of everything we do.

With tickets beginning at just $10, free parking, and no dress code, American Gothic welcomes both longtime concertgoers and first-time audiences to experience the excitement of live music in a welcoming, approachable setting.

CONCERT INFORMATION

Piedmont Wind Symphony Presents: American Gothic

2026–27 Symphonic Series

Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026

Time: 7:30 p.m. (Doors open at 7:00 p.m.)

Location: Brendle Recital Hall, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, NC

Tickets: $10–$73, including student and accessible seating options

Parking: Complimentary

Tickets and additional concert information are available at www.pwsymphony.org/americangothic or by calling 336.770.5025. Advance ticket purchases are encouraged.

ABOUT PIEDMONT WIND SYMPHONY

Founded in 1989, Piedmont Wind Symphony has been at the forefront of pushing the boundaries of classical music. As one of the few non-military professional wind symphonies in the United States, PWS is committed to innovating and evolving wind ensemble music. Through its dedication to artistic excellence, creative programming, education, and community engagement, Piedmont Wind Symphony continues to make wind music relevant and inspiring for audiences throughout Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, and beyond

For more information, visit www.pwsymphony.org.

Piedmont Wind Symphony Contact:

Brianna Cantwell

Executive Director

Piedmont Wind Symphony

cantwellb@pwsymphony.org | (336) 995-0464

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