Mason Bands Concert: Vivo (2026)*

vi·vo adjective 've-(?)vo performed or interpreted in a lively, spirited, or vigorous manner. characterized by vitality, energy, and animation marked by freshness, brilliance, and expressive force. VIVO celebrates the vitality, imagination, and expressive power of music being created in our own time. These works do not merely point toward the future; they inhabit the present with boldness, beauty, and conviction. They affirm that contemporary music is not a distant frontier, but a vibrant landscape filled with wonder, humanity, and endless possibility. This performance holds special meaning for the Mason Wind Symphony , which was selected to appear as a Featured Concert Ensemble at the 2026 Virginia Music Educators Association Conference—the Commonwealth's most distinguished stage for school music ensembles. Such invitations recognize not only artistic excellence, but also a shared commitment to curiosity, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of meaningful musical experiences. The evening begins with the Mason Symphonic Band , whose program offers three distinct voices within today's wind repertoire. Vaclav Nelhybel's Festivo radiates exuberance and celebration, its rhythmic vitality serving as a joyful invitation into the evening. In contrast, Nishant Amatya's as the fog settles unfolds with quiet introspection, immersing listeners in a world of mystery and delicate beauty. Benjamin Taylor's Shattering Infinity closes the set with unrelenting energy and soaring intensity, a work that reaches outward with imagination and boundless momentum. The concert continues with a feature presentation of the combined South County HS and Hayfield Secondary School Bands, conducted by Kevin Engdahl and Robert Specketer. The Mason Wind Symphony’ s portion of the program appropriately begins with Zhou Tian's Vivo . Sparkling colors and propulsive rhythms burst forth with a joyful vitality that gives the evening its name and its spirit. The third movement of Stacy Garrop's Quicksilver…