Encore Wind Ensemble
Dr. Cassandra Bechard, Guest Conductor
Toccata Marziale - Ralph Vaughan Williams
Blithe Bells - Percy Grainger/Jager
Wrong Note Rag - Leonard Bernstein/Ricketts
Common Threads - Kimberly Archer
Conga del Fuego Nuevo - Arturo Marquez
Come Sunday - Omar Thomas
King of Kings Lutheran Church Woodbury
Dr. Cassandra Bechard
Dr. Cassandra Bechard serves as Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at University of Northwestern – St. Paul and artistic director and conductor of Seward Concert Band in Minneapolis. In 2022, Bechard was recognized as one of Yamaha's 40-under 40 music educators. She is an active guest conductor, clinician, adjudicator, presenter, and advocate for new wind band music. As a school clinician, Bechard actively visits middle school and high school band programs. She has guest conducted several regional middle and high school all state and honor bands. Internationally, Bechard served as guest conductor for the ACSI Europe Honor Instrumental Ensemble in Budapest, Hungary.
As a presenter, Bechard has led sessions on various topics at Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic, Minnesota Music Educators Association, Iowa Bandmasters Association, South Dakota Bandmasters Association, and Idaho Bandmasters Association.
Bechard earned her Doctor of Musical Arts from University of Minnesota (2019), Master of Music from Bowling Green State University (2011), and Bachelor of Music Education and Bachelor of Music Performance from Central Michigan University (2009).
