MetWinds Fall Concert: ‘There’s a First Time for Everything’

MetWinds opens its 56th season of Greater Boston region concerts with a program built entirely around beginnings. “There’s a First Time for Everything” celebrates the debut works of some of the concert band repertoire’s most significant voices, including John Mackey, Frank Ticheli, and Dana Wilson, each represented by the very first piece they wrote or arranged for band. The program also resounds to Gustav Holst’s “First Suite in E-flat,” the piece widely credited with establishing symphonic bands as a serious concert ensemble, marking their place alongside orchestras. Fittingly, the afternoon also marks a first of its own — the inaugural performance led by MetWinds’ new music director, Gabe Southard.

“There’s a First Time for Everything” features repertoire including Adam Gorb’s “Awayday,” Holst’s “First Suite in E-flat for Military Band” (edited by Colin Matthews), John Mackey’s “Strange Humors,” Dana Wilson’s “Piece of Mind,” John Stevens’ “Benediction,” and Frank Ticheli’s “Postcard.”