Vegas concert to honor French medal recipients
The UNLV wind orchestra will hold a benefit concert Thursday night to recognize Las Vegas World War II veteran Frederick Giesz, who will receive the Legion of Honor medal from a representative of the French Consulate General.
Giesz will be joined by veterans Davis B. Leonard and Gaetano R. Benza, who received Legion of Honor medals in June.
Proceeds from the concert will benefit the university’s Student Veterans Scholarship Yellow Ribbon Fund. The fund assists veterans returning to civilian life by paying for college expenses not covered by the post-9/11 GI Bill.
“Our initial intent for this concert was to honor three of America’s greatest living composer/conductors. However, it took on an even greater significance when three Nevadans were awarded the French Legion of Honor,” orchestra Director Thomas G. Leslie said in an email.
“Additionally, heightened by an awareness of over 1,300 veteran students recently attending UNLV, the members and staff of the UNLV wind orchestra wanted to dedicate their efforts to spotlight all of these great Americans,” he said.
The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. at Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall. Tickets are $10 for the public or $8 for seniors, members of the military and UNLV faculty. UNLV and Clark County students with valid student identification can each receive a free ticket.
Tickets are available through the UNLV Performing Arts Box Office, 702-895-2787, across from the concert hall from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. today and Thursday, or an hour before the concert.
Guest conductors will direct the orchestra, including John Bourgeois, a Marine colonel veteran and director emeritus of the “President’s Own” U.S. Marine Band. He will join Hollywood film composer Bruce Broughton and internationally renowned composer Johan de Meij.
Television and movie actor, director, and producer Clarence Gilyard Jr. of “Lonesome Dove” and “Top Gun” will perform the soliloquy in Aaron Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, narrated by Jeffrey Koep, dean of the College of Fine Arts.
Contact Keith Rogers at krogers@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0308. Find him on Twitter: @KeithRogers2.