Premiere performance by Dr. Robert Benton and the University of Nebraska at Kearney wind ensemble conducted by Dr. Duane Bierman at the 2024 Great Plains Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference at the University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Migration Concerto for Euphonium and Wind Ensemble was commissioned by Dr. Robert Benton for the 2024 Great Plains Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference at the University of Kearney, Nebraska, and was further supported by the Nebraska Arts Council, the Audubon Rowe Sanctuary, and the Great Plains Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference. The work is directly
inspired by the annual Springtime great migration of Sandhill Cranes on the Platte River in Kearny. The Migration Euphonium Concerto consists of three movements that musically convey this
massive event through the lens of both an onlooker and a Sandhill Crane: I. Arrival, II. Sistere (still), and III. Flight.

Arrival begins with a brief, bold polyrhythmic statement from the band followed by a curious and cautious introductory section. These portions represent the excitement of finally arriving at
the Platte River and the process of getting acclimated to the environment. The music then swells into an optimistic “Hopeful” section featuring a soaring melody in the euphonium. The birds are
now acclimated. The next section marked “With eager impatience” represents the cranes leaving
the river early each morning to feed throughout the day at the local cornfields, meadows, and alfalfa fields. The final “Dance of the Sandhill Crane” section of the movement represents the crane’s well-known bonding and mating dance, where pairs engage in elaborate bowing displays with outstretched wings and leap high into the air, often throwing sticks or corncobs repeatedly in the process.

Cover art by Hope Schwartz

Sheet Music will be available in the summer of 2024.

Copyright © 2024 Ian Lester

Migration Concerto for Euphonium and Wind Ensemble, I. Arrival

A native Michigander whose music has been described as "high energy", "innovative" and "very thoughtful and concise" (International Tuba and Euphonium Association), Dr. Ian Lester (b. 1994) is an award-winning composer, euphonium player, and teacher holding a Doctorate degree in euphonium performance and Master’s degree in composition from the University of Missouri – Kansas City, where he also previously received his Master's degree in euphonium performance. Ian received his Bachelor’s degree in euphonium performance and pursued additional composition studies at Oakland University in Michigan. Ian’s works have been performed and recorded by soloists, chamber ensembles, wind bands, and brass bands at venues such as Carnegie Hall, Fort Myer, and many universities and recital halls around the world. Notable achievements include winning the 2016 U.S. Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Composition Competition, receiving the 2018 Oakland University's Outstanding Student in Composition award, winning the 2018 North Texas Euphonium Quartet Composition Competition, the 2021 Mirari Brass Quintet Call for Scores, and the 2022 UMKC Composition Competition, being selected to attend the 2021 Julius String Quartet EMERGE Solstice Composition Workshop, along with winning both the inaugural 2023 North Texas I.T.E.A. Chapter Composition Competition and the 2023 I.T.E.A. R. Winston Morris Award for excellence in tuba/euphonium ensemble composition.