The South Carolina Collegiate Honor Band, which includes 13 Coastal Carolina University students, will present the world premiere of a new commissioned composition, titled “Seven,” on Saturday, Jan. 22 at 2 p.m. at a concert in Coastal’s Wheelwright Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

The composition by Samuel Hazo of Pittsburgh, a renowned wind band teacher, conductor and composer, features musical phrases, melodies and harmonies based on the number “7.” The piece is written in the styles of George Gershwin and Gordon Goodwin, whose names begin with the letter G (the seventh letter of the alphabet). Also, the South Carolina Collegiate Honor Band is in its seventh season.

“Seven” was commissioned by several of the bands that make up the state’s college band program. The South Carolina Collegiate Honor Band is comprised of students from more than 20 college and university bands from across the state. Students are chosen for the ensemble through an audition process.

The guest conductor for the concert is Lowell E. Graham, former commander and conductor of the U.S. Air Force Band in Washington, D.C. Before he retired, Lowell was the senior ranking musician in the Department of Defense. He is now chair of the music department at the University of Texas at El Paso.

In addition to “Seven,” the concert will include music by Shostakovich, Schuman and Albeniz.

Coastal band students accepted into the collegiate honor band include: Rich Agle, Randy Akers, Ryan Bailey, Shelly Borgert, David Graham, Simon Harding, Jaclyn Pigate, Victoria Rexrod, Jodie Rowe, Josh Thompson, Mickey Trexler, Carson Turner and Thomas Willyerd.

For more information, contact the Wheelwright Box Office at 349-2502.