Lucas Hulett, instructor of low brass, will be the featured soloist with the WSU Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 in Miller Concert Hall at Duerksen Fine Arts Center. The concert will be led by Mark Laycock, director of orchestras and Ann Walenta Faculty of Distinction.
Director of WSU’s Shocker Sound Machine marching band, Hulett will perform Bruce Broughton’s Tuba Concerto. Broughton, a renowned film and TV composer with credits ranging from “Silverado” to “Dinosaurs,” crafted the three-movement work for Tommy Johnson, a prolific Hollywood studio tuba performer heard prominently on the “Jaws” soundtrack.
The program also includes selections from Prokofiev’s “Romeo and Juliet.” Dating from 1935, the monumental ballet score captures the romance, drama and pathos of Shakespeare’s timeless play.
“Ethiopia’s Shadow in America,” a tuneful suite chronicling the resolve and resilience of African slaves, opens the program. The work was completed in 1932 just as its composer, Florence Price, was gaining recognition as the first Black female to have a symphony performed by a major American orchestra.
A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, Hulett is classically trained in trombone, euphonium and tuba, and maintains an active performing and teaching career. He has appeared as euphonium soloist with the University of North Carolina Charlotte Wind Ensemble and the Charlotte Civic Orchestra. After completing his undergraduate studies, Hulett worked as a traveling educator leading brass classes, giving pedagogical presentations, serving as a brass caption head in the marching arena and maintaining a private teaching studio.
For tickets, contact the WSU Fine Arts Box Office at 316-978-3233 or visit wichita.edu/fineartsboxoffice.
