By: Kristen Sparacio | Publish Date: April 12th, 2026
Music enthusiasts have an inspiring night to look forward to this month as the Kean University Community Wind Ensemble presents their spring concert, Spread Your Wings. Taking place at Enlow Recital Hall on April 27th at 7:30pm (completely free of charge!), this performance promises to deliver an evening of musical narratives with great passion and expressiveness.
Directed by Patrick Burns, the recently formed ensemble is a combination of Kean students – both music and non-music majors– Kean alumni, faculty, and local musicians not affiliated with the university. These driven musicians are fueled by their love of music and come together weekly to rehearse. Hosting their well-attended, inaugural performance just a few months ago in December, the group has continued to thrive and slowly begun expansion of members.
“What a blast it has been to get the Kean University Community Wind Ensemble off the ground and into orbit…”, Burns said on an Instagram post following their inaugural performance.
Spread Your Wings is a theme thoughtfully selected by Burns, reflecting growth, freedom, and expressiveness/creativity. It aligns directly with the ensemble as they “take flight” on their journey as musicians together in a newly established team.
The concert’s repertoire features a wide range of musical pieces differing in genre and mood. Highlights encompass two lively marches, March “Chagu-Chagu” by Satoshi Yagisawa and The Black Horse Troop by John Philip Sousa, the celebratory and bold A Festival Prelude by Alfred Reed, and the captivating The Seal Lullaby by Eric Whitacre. Listeners will also experience a lively and magical A History of Tomorrow by Dayla D. Spencer, and a magnificent The Wings of Garuda by Hayato Hirose. To add a personal touch, the beautiful If I Were a Blackbird is another piece being performed, composed by Burns himself.
Incorporating a special collaboration, the Community Wind Ensemble has invited the Kearny High School Band to perform with them, under the direction of Burns’ former student Danny Conde. The two ensembles collaborated in December for a joint performance at Kearny High School and have continued to foster a strong bond. Partnering and connecting with the local community is an integral part of what the KUCWE plans to keep up with as they progress as an ensemble.
Whether you are a fellow musician, a casual listener of music, or simply someone looking for an inexpensive and enriching night on campus, this event is not one to miss. With its compelling selection of pieces, talented musicians, and impactful thematic elements, this performance is on track to be executed in a way most inspiring. The Kean University Wind Ensemble is ready to help the audience spread their wings and experience a truly transformative evening of live music.
Interested in joining for the Fall 2026 semester? Contact Patrick Burns at patrick.burns@kean.edu.
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