This fall, Hartwick College hosted its first ever High School Honor Band on October 21. This group rehearsed for a full day with guest conductor Curt Ebersole, who led them through the following repertoire:
Flourish for Wind Band – Ralph Vaughan William (I was guest conductor)
Rippling Watercolors – Brian Balmages
Prelude, Siciliano, and Rondo – Malcolm Arnold, arr. John Paynter
The Gallant Seventh – John Philip Sousa
The Hartwick College Wind Ensemble also performed a “World Tour” on this program, featuring music from five continents:
National Emblem – E. E. Bagley
Salvation Is Created – Pavel Tschesnokoff, arr. Bruce Houseknecht
Colonial Song – Percy Grainger
La Muerte del Angel – Astor Piazzolla, arr. Andrew Pease, featuring Dr. Ana Laura González on flute
Ryukuan Fantasy for Band – Yasuhide Ito
In addition, the Hartwick Wind Ensemble presented “Healing and Understanding” on November 16:
Little Threepenny Music – Kurt Weill
Variation Overture – Clifton Williams
Serenade for Band – Vincent Persichetti (with guest conductor Jonathan Sweet)
Give Us This Day – David Maslanka
Meanwhile, I continued my work with the Catskill Valley Wind Ensemble, where I shared conducting duties with Scott Rabeler. Here is the repertoire from our concerts on October 29 and November 19:
Valdres – Johannes Hanssen
Suite Francaise – Darius Milhaud
On This Bright Morning – David Maslanka
Battle Hymn of the Republic – Julia Ward Howe