Kennesaw State University Bailey School of Music Presents Americana Festival

By Kathie Beckett

Four diverse concerts celebrated Veterans Day with American composers, patriotic songs

Kennesaw State University’s Bailey School of Music, a unit of the College of the Arts, presented the Americana Festival Nov. 7-11. Four diverse concerts focused on American composers and patriotic songs to celebrate Veterans Day; veterans received free admission. The Americana Festival gave patrons and student musicians the chance to honor service members.

In attendance were Paul and Carolyn Walsh, the parents of 1st Lt. JP Walsh, a 2008 KSU graduate. JP was killed in action while serving in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012. Later that year, a memorial was erected on the Campus Green in Walsh’s memory.

The weeklong Festival began with Faculty Chamber Music featuring American composers, followed by the Brass Ensemble. All students in Chorale, Treble Choir, and Men’s Ensemble performed next, followed by the Wind Ensemble. The repetoire paid tribute to those who serve (and have served) our great nation.

“A Veterans Day Tribute,” featuring Jason Casanova, euphonium, and Paul Dickinson, tuba, included about fifty piccolo performers from all over the metro Atlanta area. BSOM faculty Dr. David Kehler, conductor of the Wind Ensemble, acknowledged the Walsh family from the podium.

Next, all veterans were asked to stand and be acknowledged during a performance that honored all branches of the United States Armed Forces.

Audience members were treated to the Georgia premiere of Anthony Plog’s Double Concerto for Euphonium, Tuba, and Wind Ensemble (2019), preceded by Carlos Simon’s Sweet Chariot. A traditional favorite on the playlist included John Williams’ Hymn to the Fallen, arranged by Paul Lavender. The patriotic concert featured Samuel A. Ward’s America the Beautiful, arranged by Carmen Dragon, followed by Robert Lowden’s Armed Forces Salute. Finally, the performance ended with a rousing rendition of John Philip Sousa’s The