Raymond Burkhart

When Raymond Burkhart picked up the baton as the conductor of the College of the Canyons Symphonic Band last semester, he only had one band member. Since then, the band has continued to grow under his guidance.

On Monday, May 13 at 8 p.m., the COC Symphonic Band will perform “Old, New, Borrowed, Blue – Music for Band” at 8 p.m. at the Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook University Center Lobby.

The concert is free and open to the public.

“The concert will include music for full band, music for brass ensemble and music for ‘harmonie’ ensemble, the kind of wind band found in Europe in the 18th century,” said Burkhart.

The concert will also include music by Mozart, Rossini, Holst, Respighi and some of Burkhart’s original compositions.

“We’ll play three more of the reconstructed Civil War band pieces from the archive I’ve been researching,” added Burkhart. “This ties in nicely with the recent hit motion picture ‘Lincoln’ and the sesquicentennial of the Civil War.”

Burkhart came to College of the Canyons with many years of experience conducting professional, collegiate, community and youth ensembles. An Ohio native, Burkhart composed his first song at the age of four.  His compositions have been performed across the United States, Europe and in Africa. Burkhart earned his PhD in Musicology from Claremont Graduate University. The recipient of many ASCAP awards, Burkhart is also a two-time First Prize winner of the Humboldt State University Brass Chamber Music Workshop Composition Contest.