If it were up to Erik Jester, Esber Recital Hall would become an amphitheater.
The graduate student said he believes the piece he is conducting with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble tonight, a brass fanfare, is so loud and energetic that it will blow the roof off the School of Music facility.
"It can really get your adrenaline going," he said. "I can't think of a better way to open a concert."
The ensemble, made up of mostly music majors, will perform in the hall at 8 tonight under the direction of Jester (graduate-conducting) and School of Music professor Dennis Glocke.
The "Wiener Philharmoniker Fanfare" by Richard Strauss will open the performance with a large brass section of about 20 players and two sets of timpani.
Jester said Strauss wrote the piece to open a benefit concert for the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in 1924.
"He was a big name composer and had this larger-than-life personality, and his music reflected that," Jester said.
The concert will also feature Erica Levy (graduate-music performance), winner of the 2007 Symphonic Wind Ensemble Concerto Competition.
Levy will be performing "Concertino for Flute" by Cecile Chaminade at the concert.
Levy said the piece was written in 1902 and has a grand feeling to it, showcasing many aspects of the flute.
"It really shows off the flute very well," she said. "It's very technical and lyrical all at the same time."
Glocke said Levy was one of two winners chosen in October by five judges to perform with the Symphonic Wind Ensemble.
He said performers were required to demonstrate mastery of a concerto for their respective instruments.
"[Levy]'s doing a beautiful job," he said. "It's been a very easy, rewarding collaboration."
Four additional pieces that Glocke specifically chose, including "Dionysiaques" by Florent Schmitt, will close the concert.
Glocke said the piece is inspired by the Greek god Dionysus, as the name implies, and has a wild mood fit for a "drunken orgy," he said.
"The music has that kind of feel to it," Glocke said. "He was the god of wine, after all."
