Iowa State University: World Premiere: Concerto for Wind Ensemble

Hive Mind (2025) at Iowa State University in Ames, IA

World Premiere: Sculpture Inspires Original Concerto at Iowa State University

AMES, Iowa — When internationally acclaimed artist Beth Lipman created Hive Mind, her monumental bronze and glass sculpture celebrating Iowa State University's legacy of innovation, composer and conductor Dr. Michael Golemo heard music. On Friday, February 13, University Museums and the Department of Music and Theatre present the world premiere of Golemo's three-movement concerto inspired by Lipman's art, performed by the 60-member Iowa State University Wind Ensemble at Simon Estes Music Hall.

The collaboration transforms Lipman's visual language into sound—what Golemo describes as intensely "colorful" music. Bronze becomes anvils, cowbells, and powerful brass evoking weight and permanence. Glass becomes triangles, bell trees, muted brass, and flutes suggesting transparency and fragility. The third movement captures the collaborative energy of the "hive mind" itself—the gathering and binding of knowledge that defines both Lipman's artistic process and Iowa State's research mission.

"This is a special tribute that should be colorful and dynamic," said Golemo, who is in his 27th year conducting at Iowa State.

The concerto was commissioned by University Museums in honor of Beverly and Warren Madden, whose combined 65-plus years of service to Iowa State shaped the modern university. Warren served as Senior Vice President for Business and Finance for 50 years, while Beverly was a faculty member and Iowa State's first university-wide Director of Career Planning and Placement Services. Both once clarinetists at Iowa State University, they are honored through featured clarinet solos woven throughout the concerto. In 2025, the Maddens endowed the Warren and Beverly Madden University Museums Director and Chief Curator position held by Pohlman.