The EIU Wind Symphony and the EIU Concert Band will perform for the Boyd Band Bash Scholarship Concert on Friday at 6 p.m. at the Mellin Steps.

Due to university and state guidelines, the event will be livestreamed on YouTube, which can be found by searching “Boyd Band Bash Scholarship Concert 2020.”

“We know that there will be a lot of interest in this, so to make it easy for people, we’re livestreaming this so people can just stay in the comfort of their own homes, the safety of their own homes, and they can watch the concert,” said Dan Crews, Doudna’s director of programming.

The novelty of livestreaming the Boyd Bash has Doudna staffers looking forward to using this new outlet.

“It’s new to us, it’s kind of innovative for us, so we’re really excited to be able to utilize this technology during this kind of strange time where we cannot have people attending events,” Crews said.

The concert, which is Eastern’s primary fundraiser for its bands, is named after a notable alum from the music department.

“The name comes from a former faculty member of the music department here at Eastern many many years ago. Earl Boyd was his name … he wrote EIU’s fight song,” Crews said. “That’s his contribution and legacy to Eastern Illinois University.”

According to the event’s press release, there is a guest list of 50 people maximum, in accordance with Eastern’s and the state’s guidelines.

“Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan allows gatherings, including concerts, of 50 people or fewer,” it reads. “Non-ticket holders will not be permitted in the Library Quad vicinity, Doudna staff are asking for people not to bring lawn chairs or blankets to watch the concert.”

Whereas concert-goers would normally donate in person, this year’s COVID-19 regulations led those in charge of the event to establish a link where people can donate during the concert.

“What we’ll be doing is, there will be a link that people can donate online, so we’re going to make it real easy for people,” Crews said. “They don’t even have to get dressed up fancy, they can stay home in their lounging clothes and have their favorite beverage next to them, and they can watch the concert.”

That link can be found at the EIU Giving Page, according to the press release.

The music being performed by the Eastern bands includes works by Aaron Copland, George Gershwin and Meredith Willson, among others.

Ryan Meyer can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].