July 22, 2008

SEATTLE - As this summer's Olympians are going through their final training preparations, the pomp and pageantry that is the signature of any Olympiad is also going through the final planning stages, and one Husky is playing an integral role. Current Washington Director of Athletic Bands Dr. Brad McDavid has been selected as one of the International Band Directors for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Orchestra and will be delivering some Husky showmanship to the world's stage in just a few short weeks.

McDavid, currently in his 14th year at the helm of the 240-person Husky Marching Band, will depart for China this Friday, and will be followed by 300 band members from all over the Pacific Northwest including 62 Husky Band members that will take their place among the 2,000-member Beijing Olympic Orchestra.

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Orchestra is comprised of three core units - the RED Orchestra (Americas), GREEN Orchestra (Pacific/Islands) and the GOLD Orchestra (China). McDavid has the important distinction of being the Artistic Director for the RED Orchestra, and will work with the appointed team of international band leaders that will be facilitating his artistic vision for the 2,000 member orchestra. The performance will include a field performance ending with the formation of the five signature Olympic Rings.

This is not the first time Dr. McDavid has been to China as the UW Husky Marching Band performed on the Peking campus several years ago. Some of the musical repertoire performed will also include Chinese folk songs as well as Beethoven's "Ode to Joy," the official Olympic anthem. McDavid is in great demand for his artistic direction and as a guest conductor, and has led the Husky Marching Band on performance tours of Australia, China, Scandinavia, and most recently to Japan where the band performed in the Midousuji Parade as guests of the Osaka Bandmaster's Association.

Additional information on the Beijing Olympic Orchestra can be found at the following link