by Allison Craft, Student Public Relations Writer
The Ohio Music Education Association’s professional development conference, one of the leading music conferences in the country, will host Cedarville University’s wind symphony for a concert on Thursday, Feb. 6. The event takes place at Huntington Convention Center at 7 pm.
This is the second consecutive year a musical group from Cedarville has performed at the conference, with the jazz band performing there in 2024.
OMEA has hosted elite ensembles from The Ohio State University, Youngstown State University and Wright State University. This year, it is Cedarville’s turn to take the stage, showcasing the incredible talent, passion and dedication of its wind symphony.
What makes this Cedarville ensemble even more remarkable is its performers. 60% of the performers are non-music majors.
“With over half the band being non-music majors, that means that, for those people that aren't in music for the whole time, it's not just for fun; they're serious about it. They want to invest in it,” said Dr. Chet Jenkins, associate professor of music and director of wind symphony.
The success of an ensemble comes not only from its members but also from the dedication of the director. Jenkins has the desire to see each musician push their limits as the ensemble is transformed into a high-caliber group capable of tackling the most challenging music.
As the Wind Symphony takes the stage at OMEA, their performance will stand as a testament to their hard work, perseverance, and passion for music. This is not just another concert — it is a moment of excellence and a celebration of dedication.
Cedarville University, an Evangelical Christian institution in southwest Ohio, offers undergraduate and graduate residential and online programs across arts, sciences, and professional fields. With 6,384 students, it ranks among Ohio's largest private universities and is recognized by The Wall Street Journal as being among the nation’s top three evangelical universities. Cedarville is also known for its vibrant Christian community, challenging academics, and high graduation and retention rates. Learn more at cedarville.edu.