Warren Barker, who composed and arranged the work, will conduct its world premiere.
Barker is a longtime Hollywood film and television arranger.
Robert E. Foster, KU director of bands, is conductor of the 60-piece Symphonic Band. The other guest for the spring performance is the Harvey Pittel Saxophone Quartet, which will perform for Barker's Capriccio for Saxophone Quartet and Band with the composer conducting. The world premier performance of this work, created especially for the University of Kansas using musical material which is uniquely Kansan, is a very special occasion, and we are delighted the composer will conduct its first performance. Barker's Capriccio was written in 1988 as a commission from the Northshore Concert Band in Illinois and its conductor, John P. Paynter. The work begins with a big fanfare, after which the saxophone quartet introduces a contrasting refrain.