ACU and the Abilene community will have the opportunity to hear the Big Purple Marching Band playing as a large symphonic band at ACU’s annual Winter Band Concert . The concert, titled Big Purple Band Concert, will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday in Cullen Auditorium.

This year’s concert will feature a multitude of pieces including: Christus Factus Est by Anton Bruckner, Pas Redouble by Saint-Saens, October by Eric Whitacre, British Eighth by Zo Elliot, II.Mass.III. by Carnival from La Fiesta and Mexicana by H. Owen Reed. Dr. Steven Ward, director of bands and orchestra, and Jason Missal, associate director of bands, will be directing. Ward said he was excited to show off the effort students had put into the music.

“Playing great music with fantastic students and musicians is always great” Ward said. “However one of the things that I find the most special about this concert is the opportunity to acknowledge the tremendous work that the students in the Big Purple do.”

The winter concert does not feature the same band every year. Sometimes the Big Purple Band will play, like this year, but in the past the band has split in into the Wind Ensemble and the Concert Band, which meet in the spring semester. Ward said he was glad the students could perform all together this year.

“Having them all on the stage, playing great music with them and publicly acknowledging their work is a highlight of the year for me,” Ward said.

Patrick Cason, junior and band president from Euless, said his favorite part of the concert was its finale.

“Bringing any alumni from the audience, the band stands shoulder to shoulder, singing the Lord Bless You and Keep You,” Cason said. “It is amazing to hear such a talented group lift their praise to God.”