UNLV College of Fine Arts and department of music present the UNLV Wind Orchestra conducted by Thomas Leslie in a special concert -- "American Heroes" -- benefiting UNLV student veterans and honoring D-Day veterans/French Legion of Honor award winners Gaetano "Guy" Benza, 89, and Davis "Dave " B. Leonard, 90, and all Americans who serve our great nation. The concert is at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 20 in Artemus Ham Concert Hall. For tickets, visit or call 895-ARTS (2787).
Included in the concert are special artistic contributions by guest conductors, director emeritus of the "President's Own" U.S. Marine Band, Col. John Bourgeois; Emmy Award-winning Hollywood film composer Bruce Broughton; and Sudler Composition Award winner and internationally renowned composer Johan de Meij.
Additional concert highlights include a special performance of Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait" narrated by Dean Jeffrey Koep, and a powerful soliloquy from acclaimed television and movie actor, director, and producer Clarence Gilyard Jr. (Walker Texas Ranger, Lonesome Dove, Top Gun.)
Proceeds from this concert benefit the UNLV Student Veterans Scholarship Yellow Ribbon Fund. Ross D. Bryant, who is retired from the Army and now serves as director of the UNLV office of veteran services, will address the audience.
UNLV President Donald Snyder will make a special presentation to D-Day veterans and French Legion of Honor medal awardees Leonard and Benza.
A representative of the French Consulate General will make a special presentation of the French Legion of Honor Medal to the newest recipient, Frederick Giesz.
A complimentary reception to meet and greet the evening's honorees will follow the concert in the lobby of Artemus W. Ham Concert Hall.
