The ISU Wind Ensemble will still perform on Friday night, even though the planned special appearance of the U.S. Army Brass Quintet has been canceled. The performance is a part of the Iowa Music Educators Association (IMEA) Convention but because of Federal government gridlock and this week’s freeze on funding for Federal employees, the U.S. Army Brass was forced to cancel.

“They called back all the military bands,” said a disappointed Joseph Christensen, Director of Bands at ISU.

The U.S. Army Brass Quintet has performed world-wide and appeared on local and national television, including the nationally syndicated “Larry King Live” late-night show.

The ISU Wind Ensemble is recognized as one of the outstanding bands in the United States. In the past 12 years they have commissioned and premiered four works, including the “Concertino for Piano and Winds” by Robert Linn. They have traveled to Mexico twice, on tours partially funded by the U.S. State Department and have appeared several times at the Iowa Bandmasters Convention and the prestigious College Band Directors National Association North Central Convention.

The IMEA Convention focuses on music educators from across Iowa and participating bands are chosen for their excellence.

“The ISU Wind Ensemble is playing because they were chosen, not simply because the convention is being held at ISU,” Christensen said.

The convention starts Thursday and goes through Saturday. On Saturday night, over 1,200 high school students from approximately 300 Iowa high school bands will perform at Hilton.

“There will be over 11,000 people in Ames this weekend,” said Christensen.

The ISU Wind Ensemble will be performing Friday night in Fisher Theatre at 7:30 p.m. The Wind Ensemble will perform “Lauds,” by Ron Nelson; “Canterbury Chorale,” by Jan Van der Roost; “The Courtly Dances,” by Benjamin Britten and arranged by Jan Bach; and “Celebration,” by Philip Sparke. The program is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.