The USM Symphonic Winds invites audiences to attend “Reimagined Keys.” The program opens with two brilliant transcriptions of piano works, Three Piano Preludes by George Gershwin and Allegro Barbaro by Béla Bartók—each masterfully reinterpreted for woodwinds, brass and percussion. These pieces highlight how the expressive range of the piano translates beautifully into the vibrant colors of the concert band.

The centerpiece of the evening features Dr. Ellen Elder, associate professor of piano, performing Armando Bayolo’s Concerto for Piano and Large Ensemble. Drawing inspiration from the piano music of Bartók, Prokofiev and Messiaen, Bayolo’s work is both virtuosic and deeply expressive, showcasing the piano’s versatility within a modern ensemble setting.

Although the final selection was not originally composed for piano, the instrument plays a vital role in the lively rhythms and lush textures of Arturo Márquez’s Danzón No. 2. Please join us at the Thomas V. Fraschillo Stage at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, Nov. 11!