A distinguished wind ensemble group will be in Ames for the next two days showing to the public the talents which have given them a reputation for over 40 years.

During the early part of this week the Eastman Wind Ensemble will be traveling from their home base, the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., to the Ames/Huxley area for several concerts and seminars.

The trip, which is sponsored by the Ames International Orchestra Festival Association (AIOFA), Iowa State music department, Ballard Community Schools and the Iowa Bandmaster’s Association, will provide classical music fans in the area a wide variety of opportunities to hear the group’s techniques, said Robert Maxham, AIOFA executive director.

One of the major places where the group will be holding free musical clinics and rehearsals is Music Hall here on the ISU campus. The most specialized of these clinics will be this afternoon at one o’clock when the music department will be hosting several of the musicians who will show any interested students what they and their instruments can do at different locations around the Music Building.

In addition, the group will be having two open rehearsals today at 3 p.m. and tomorrow at 2 p.m. Today’s rehearsal will include a lecture by Donald Hunsberger, the group’s director since 1965. The tour will culminate with two evening performances tonight and tomorrow at 7 p.m. at the Ames City Auditorium, which is located at 515 Clark St. General admission tickets for these shows are $10; they’re available in Room 107 of the Music Building or at the door, said Joseph Christensen, director of bands.

All of those concerned are very excited about the group performing in Ames. “They are the best of their kind,” Maxham said. “This is the band that set the standard for wind ensembles everywhere in the world for the last 50 years.”

“It is a tremendous honor and rare opportunity to have them here at Iowa State,” Christensen added. “The students will be able to benefit from mingling with players of this caliber.”

The music for the concert is also of high quality. Some of the best-known tunes that are scheduled to be performed include George Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” and J.S. Bach’s “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor.” The group will also be playing tunes by John Phillip Sousa, Joseph Haydn and William Schuman.

The Eastman Wind Ensemble is a group of student musicians founded in the early 1950s. Since that time they have released over 50 full-length recordings and have debuted over 100 new compositions.