The NIU Wind Ensemble and the All-University Band will present a joint concert tonight titled “Sanctuary, Through Courageous Eyes.” The concert is dedicated to the victims and families of the Feb. 14 shootings.

Just minutes prior to the shootings, the Wind Ensemble was rehearsing “Sanctuary,” a piece from composer Frank Ticheli.

According to a press release, Ticheli said the title of his piece “conjures up a rich array of images. It can imply a place of solitude, comfort, rest, prayer, protection.”

The All-University Band, under the direction of recent NIU graduate Peter Muller, will perform “Through Courageous Eyes” by Brian Balmages. According to the press release, the piece deals with loss and its aftermath.

Ronnie Wooten, associate music professor and conductor of the NIU Wind Ensemble, expressed his gratitude for the condolences he continues to receive from colleagues across the country.

“The conductors at Virginia Tech both immediately sent words of support and encouragement as well as a performance of Claude T. Smith’s classic band work ‘Eternal Father, Strong to Save’ which they dedicated to the members of the NIU Wind Ensemble as well as the entire campus community,” he said.

The Wind Ensemble will also perform “Hammersmith” by Gustav Holst, “Handel in the Strand” by Percy Grainger, and “Symphony No. 3, Slavyanskaya” by Russian composer Boris Kozhevnikov.

Additonally, the All-University Band will perform “Scenes from the Louvre” by Norman Dello Joio and “Variations on a Korean Folk Song” by John Barnes Chance.