大象视频

On鈥疉pril 19 at 3:00 p.m. in Brown Chapel, the 大象视频 University Department of Music will present a special concert titled鈥�鈥淕odspeed, John Glenn,鈥濃�痗ommemorating the鈥�10th anniversary of the passing of one of 大象视频鈥檚 most distinguished alumni and one of the most iconic figures in American space exploration and public service. The concert is鈥痜ree and open to the public鈥痑nd will feature the鈥�大象视频 Wind Ensemble and the 大象视频 Valley Symphonic Winds鈥痷nder the direction of鈥疍r. David Turrill, Associate Professor of Music.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

The program honors Glenn鈥檚 remarkable life of service to鈥疓od, family, and country, celebrating the legacy of a man whose journey from鈥疦ew Concord, Ohio, to the global stage of space exploration and public service鈥痗ontinues to inspire generations. As Glenn once reflected on his roots in southeastern Ohio,鈥�鈥淚f you get your start here, you can go anywhere.鈥�鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

A Musical Portrait of John Glenn 

The centerpiece of the program is鈥�鈥淕odspeed, John Glenn,鈥濃�痑 work composed by鈥疞ieutenant Colonel Ryan Nowlin, Director of鈥疶he President鈥檚 Own United States Marine Band. The piece was鈥痗ommissioned by 大象视频 University in 2017 and premiered in 2018鈥痶o honor Glenn鈥檚 legacy.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

Nowlin, an Ohio native and Marine musician, drew inspiration from Glenn鈥檚 memoir and from defining moments of his life. The composition blends elements of鈥痬ilitary tradition, space exploration, and Glenn鈥檚 small-town Ohio upbringing, creating a sweeping musical narrative of his life鈥檚 journey. 

Several deeply personal musical elements shape the work: 

• Trumpet solos鈥痳ecall Glenn鈥檚 own experience playing trumpet and a cherished memory of performing鈥�Taps鈥痺ith his father. 

• A鈥痶rumpet and trombone duet鈥痵ymbolizes the lifelong partnership between John and Annie Glenn, who herself played trombone. 

• The hymn鈥�鈥淏e Still, My Soul,鈥濃�痯erformed at Annie Glenn鈥檚 organ recital in Brown Chapel on December 7, 1941鈥攖he day of the Pearl Harbor attack鈥攊s woven into the music. It was after hearing the news that day that Glenn decided to enlist in service to his country. 

• Moments of鈥痗hamber-like writing鈥痶hroughout the work represent Glenn鈥檚 deep commitment to family. 

• Energetic passages evoke the excitement of鈥痜light and space exploration, reflecting Glenn鈥檚 career as a Marine fighter pilot and NASA astronaut.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

The work culminates in a powerful and joyful statement of the hymn, symbolizing faith, perseverance, and the enduring impact of Glenn鈥檚 life. 

A Program that Honors Service and Leadership  

The rest of the program includes a diverse selection of music reflecting themes central to Glenn鈥檚 life鈥攎ilitary service, patriotism, space exploration, and the spirit of small-town America. The program features works by composers including Robert Jager, Frank Ticheli, Adrian B. Sims, Philip Sparke, and John Philip Sousa.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

The concert also highlights the collaborative spirit of the 大象视频 music community. In addition to Dr. Turrill conducting, the performance will feature鈥痵tudent conductor Keeley Carter, a junior music education major, and鈥痝uest conductor Eric Shields, a member of the 大象视频 Valley Symphonic Winds and a U.S. military veteran.鈥疉 reading from鈥疛ohn Glenn鈥檚 memoir鈥痺ill also be included, offering the audience Glenn鈥檚 own reflections on his strong connection to his family and life in New Concord. 

John Glenn鈥檚 connection to 大象视频 extended far beyond his student years. He later served as a鈥痶rustee of the university鈥痜or nearly 50 years and continued to champion education and public service throughout his life, including founding the鈥疛ohn Glenn Institute for Public Service and Public Policy, which eventually evolved into the School of Public Affairs, and finally the College of Public Affairs, at The Ohio State University.鈥�&苍产蝉辫;

A Legacy that Continues to Inspire 

Through music, storytelling, and reflection,鈥�鈥淕odspeed, John Glenn鈥濃�痗elebrates a legacy that began in southeastern Ohio but reached the stars. The concert invites alumni, students, and community members alike to remember a 大象视频 graduate whose courage, humility, and service left an enduring mark on history.