New Director of Bands Introduced at Wind Ensemble Concert

The University of Georgia Wind Ensemble, under the baton of new Director of Bands Nicholas Enrico Williams, presents “Music From Around the World.”

The performance is Nov. 17 at 7:30 p.m. in Hodgson Hall at the Performing Arts Center. Visit www.music.uga.edu or call 706-542-4400 for tickets.

The University of Georgia Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Nicholas Enrico Williams, will present “Music from Around the World” for a Thursday Scholarship Series concert on Thursday, November 17th at 7:30 p.m. (EST) in Hodgson Concert Hall.

The performance features works of international composers, including two premieres from Australia by Jared McCunnie and Declan Postlethwaite. The complete program is as follows: 

• Festive Overture - Dmitri Shostakovich
• Elegy in F minor - Jared McCunnie *world premiere
• Sept Dances - Jean Françaix
• A deep reverberation fills with stars - John Mackey
• Symphony No. 4, “Strange Time” - Quinn Mason
• If You Trusted Love Thus Far - Declan Postlethwaite *North American premiere
• “Flying Theme” from E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial - John Williams

Though born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, Williams moved with his family to Dallas when he was eight, “so, I essentially consider myself as a Texan in Georgia.” He holds three degrees in music, all from the University of North Texas.

Williams said he is very excited to start the new position at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music.

“The UGA band program has a long and storied history. I’d like to build upon that history and current practices to maintain the program’s stature within our profession,” he said. “Within our student population, I’d like to create and maintain a culture of music making where our emerging career musicians are willing to take musical risks, comfortable with collaboration, and excited to share their gifts and talents with each other (most importantly) and with the world.”

Prior to his time in Athens, Williams was the director of wind bands at the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (Melbourne, Australia). “One of the main ideas I’ve learned from my time in Oz [Australia] … there are great people and musicians all over the world willing to share their love of music. We’ve got to do a better job of connecting with our colleagues in other areas, countries and continents. Hopefully we can continue to do that here.”

You can read Williams full bio HERE.