WKU's Carmichael Commissioned As Kentucky Colonel

July 01, 2005

Bowling Green, Ky. - John C. Carmichael, director of bands at Western Kentucky University, has been commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel of the Commonwealth by Gov. Ernie Fletcher.

Dr. Carmichael received the award Thursday at a concert of the Southern Kentucky Band, held in Basil Griffin Park. Mitzi Groom, head of WKU's Music Department, presented the award for the governor in recognition of the WKU Wind Ensemble's invitation and performance in Russia in May of 2005. The Wind Ensemble was the only civilian instrumental ensemble from the United States invited by the Russian Ministry of Culture to perform at the WWII Victory over Europe celebration on May 9.

"The Commonwealth and the United States were very honored to have been represented on this auspicious occasion in Russian history by an instrumental ensemble of the caliber of the WKU Wind Ensemble," Dr. Groom said. "This was a lifemarking event in the history of the WKU Department of Music and in the lives of the young musicians who were privileged to travel and perform on this trip."

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