Friendship takes center stage in a globe-trotting program by Northshore Concert Band!

Music that celebrates friendship, global traditions, and the joy of making music will take center stage when the Northshore Concert Band presents In Good Company on February 22 at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston.

The concert is the second subscription program of the band’s 2025/26 season and explores music as a shared human experience—across cultures, generations, and personal histories.

The program opens with Tuttarana by Reena Esmail, a work whose title merges the Italian word tutti with the Hindustani musical form tarana. The piece blends Eastern-influenced rhythms with energetic ensemble writing, setting the tone for a globally inspired afternoon.

A contrasting moment follows with Sheltering Sky by John Mackey, a quiet folksong marked by gently unfolding melodies and a contemplative atmosphere. From there, the program expands in scope with Edward Elgar’s Enigma Variations, presented in an arrangement for band by Slocum and Reed. Each variation offers a musical portrait of one of the composer’s close friends, with the well-known “Nimrod” serving as a centerpiece of reflection and emotional depth.

Music by women composers continues with Spring Festival by Chen Yi. This spirited musical tribute draws on Chinese traditions, incorporating the sound of Beijing Opera gongs and cymbals to evoke the excitement of Lunar New Year celebrations. Christina Huss’ When an Angel Gets Its Wings follows, a lyrical and meditative work that reflects themes of faith and hope.

The concert concludes with La Fiera Asturiana by Michele Fernández, a spirited Spanish march infused with flamenco rhythms. The piece honors the composer’s grandmother, a flamenco artist from Asturias, Spain, and brings the program to a fiery close.

A highlight of the afternoon will be the Band’s annual “Lifetime of Music” performance, featuring middle school musicians from across Chicagoland. This initiative, now in its 22nd year, is an annual event where local student musicians are invited to join Northshore Concert Band on stage at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall for a portion of the winter concert. The program provides a rewarding musical experience to young musicians: granting access to unique performance opportunities outside of the classroom, introduces students to outstanding wind band repertoire, and demonstrate that musical engagement can continue well beyond formal education. Like members of Northshore Concert Band, these young guests will become “Musicians for a Lifetime.”

Under the leadership of Mallory Thompson since 2003, the Northshore Concert Band is a 100-member symphonic ensemble celebrating 70 years of musical excellence.

The musicians of Northshore Concert Band come from across the Chicago area and represent a wide range of professions, from educators and business executives to attorneys and healthcare professionals. Many have performed with the ensemble for over two decades, united by their shared commitment to the Band’s mission of musical excellence and community service.

In Good Company takes place Sunday, February 22, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall in Evanston. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors, and $10 for students and children. Group discounts are available, and tickets may be purchased online through the band’s website and on Eventbrite.