The UALR Department of Music will welcome its new Wind Ensemble director during a Spring Concert at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, May 7,  in the Stella Boyle Smith Concert Hall in the Fine Arts Building.

This event is free and open to the public.

The Wind Ensemble’s new leader, Darrell Smith, has been an area band director for more than 30 years and has taught everything from fifth-grade beginners to college-level musicians.

Jazz bands under Smith’s direction have received state and national recognition. He is a member of the Ozark Point Brass Quintet and performed with the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, South Arkansas Symphony, and Pine Bluff Symphony.

He was also principal horn for the Little Rock Wind Symphony for 16 years. Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Henderson State University.

Tuesday’s performance will begin with the “Star Spangled Banner,” in traditional style, followed by “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” written by Claude T. Smith.

“Grace Praeludium,” the next piece, was commissioned by the Arkansas Bandmasters Association in celebration of Ruth and Raymond Brandon. “Incantation and Dance” is one of the most popular and the first published work of John Barnes Chance.

“The Marriage of Figaro,” by W.A. Mozart, will be the final selection for the evening.

For more information, contact Darrell Smith at djsmith2@ualr.edu.