WESTBROOK – The Westbrook High School Wind Ensemble is set to perform alongside the University of New Hampshire Wind Symphony on Thursday, Jan. 30, in what director Kyle Smith refers to as a “really special” gift for his students and the community.

According to Smith, the concert, which starts at 7 p.m. at the Westbrook Performing Arts Center, will feature works by Percy Grainger, Eric Whitacre, Bela Bartok and Maine’s own Brad Ciechomski.

“We are very excited to host the UNH Wind Symphony, as they are one of the leading ensembles of any level on the East Coast,” Smith said Tuesday. “To have them in our community for a free concert is really special.”

Smith added that students from the university will also be giving master classes to Westbrook High School students on their instrument, and that the concert is giving Westbrook students a free learning opportunity from the UNH conductor, Dr. Andrew Boysen.

“It’s also a learning opportunity for the UNH students, many of whom will be high school and middle school band directors in the next year or two,” he said.

Boysen, a professor of music at UNH, said Monday that the inspiration for the concert stemmed from a longtime friendship with Smith, and an idea that was cultivated from a visit to Westbrook High School last year.

“Kyle and I have been close friends for a very long time and I have enormous respect for . . . the band program at Westbrook,” he said. “It seemed like it would be a lot of fun and a nice chance for my students to perform in a different venue.”

Boysen added that his program has several Westbrook alumni.

“I thought it would be cool for them to be able to come home and play with their ‘new’ group,” he said.

The concert will include separate performances by the Westbrook wind ensemble and UNH symphony, and conclude with two combined works to close the show.

Boysen said this is the first time he has been involved in a collaboration such as this, where his entire symphony will travel to a high school performance.

“We have occasionally shared concerts with high school groups on our own campus, but it is rare for us to take one of our large ensembles off campus unless we are performing at a convention or something,” he said. “This is a pretty wonderful opportunity for our students.”

Dr. Andrew Boysen conducts the University of New Hampshire Wind Symphony, which will perform with the Westbrook High School Wind Ensemble on Jan. 30.