FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 15, 2026

Winds of the Mountain Empire Celebrates 20th Anniversary with Free Concert Featuring Carmina Burana

BIG STONE GAP, VA — Winds of the Mountain Empire will celebrate its 20th anniversary performance with a free
concert on Sunday, July 26, at 4:00 p.m. in the auditorium of Union High School in Big Stone Gap, Virginia.
Founded in 2006, Winds of the Mountain Empire is a professional wind ensemble that has brought together
musicians from throughout Southwest Virginia, Northeast Tennessee, Southeast Kentucky, and beyond for two
decades of high-quality wind band performances.

This year’s anniversary concert will feature a powerful and celebratory program, including The Star-Spangled
Banner, arranged by John Williams; March from Symphonic Metamorphosis by Paul Hindemith; Meridian by Ola
Gjeilo, featuring UVA Wise Associate Professor of Music and pianist Peter Ryan; world premiere performances of
Above the Mountains by UVA Wise music major Joshua Cunningham and Regalia: A Ceremonial Overture by
Donald W. Sorah; and the cornerstone work of the program, Carl Orff’s dramatic and iconic Carmina Burana.

The concert is made possible with the generous support of The Slemp Foundation and the Pro-Art Association,
whose support helps Winds of the Mountain Empire continue offering free, high-quality performances to
audiences throughout the region.