What a spring it’s been! In my little corner of band world, there were guest artists galore, amazing off-campus performance opportunities, and a giant lizard that even the intrepid Hartwick Wind Ensemble couldn’t defeat. The season began with some exciting guest conducting and traveling! I did two All County Bands:
Otsego Senior All County Band, Laurens, NY, February 3, 2018
The Cave You Fear – Michael Markowski
Country Gardens – Percy Grainger, arr. Sousa
Montgomery Senior All County Band, Amsterdam, NY, March 3, 2018
Brooklyn Air – Michael Markowski
Chorale and Shaker Dance – John Zdechlik
I also went over to Purdue University on February 16 to conduct their Concert Band in the Serenade for Band by Vincent Persichetti. Thanks Jonathan Sweet for the invitation!
In addition, I attended the NYSBDA Symposium in Liverpool, NY from March 2-4, 2018, where I heard fine ensembles and honor bands, as well as some terrific sessions. I headed as well to the CBDNA Eastern Division conference in New Haven, CT from March 7-10, 2018. While there listening to more terrific ensembles and sessions, I led a reading session on Michael Markowski’s Brooklyn Air and gave a brief presentation about the Wind Band Symphony Archive. Both of these conferences were snarled by serious snow storms that caused me and several other attendees to arrive late – some didn’t make it at all.
Back home in Oneonta, the Hartwick College Wind Ensemble and Chamber Winds presented three programs:
WINDSONGS – March 15, 2018
Tres Sonetos – Silvestre Revueltas
On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss – David Holsinger
Variations on a Shaker Melody – Aaron Copland, Christopher Dobbins, guest conductor
Moon by Night – Jonathan Newman
Four Dances from West Side Story – Leonard Bernstein, arr. Polster
GODZILLA EATS LAS VEGAS and Other Tall Tales – May 3, 2018
Fugioso (trio for flute, soprano sax, and alto sax) – Andrew Pease
Apollo Myth and Legend – Rob Romeyn
March to the Scaffold – Hector Berlioz, Andrew Hsu ’18, guest conductor
Godzilla Eats Las Vegas – Eric Whitacre – see our video here.
In addition, the Hartwick Wind Ensemble traveled to CARNEGIE HALL (!!!) on April 9, with a program of music mostly from our March concert:
Hill of Dreams – Ethan Cypress (world premiere)
Moon by Night – Jonathan Newman, Jason Noble, guest conductor
Four Dances from West Side Story – Leonard Bernstein, arr. Polster
It was a phenomenal experience for everyone – thanks to Manhattan Concert Productions for getting us on board, and thanks to all of the people at Hartwick who made it possible for us!
Meanwhile, the Catskill Valley Wind Ensemble had a rough run of rehearsals, with four weather cancellations during our spring concert cycle. Still, we managed two concerts, both at the First United Methodist Church in Oneonta, and visit from composer Michael Markowski.
Mid-Winter Pops Concert, Sunday, January 21 at 2pm
Dancin’ into the 20s – various, arr. Hunsberger
Music from The Incredibles – Michael Giacchino, arr. Bocook
Themes from 007 – various, arr. Lowden
Waltz no. 2 – Dmitri Shostakovich, arr. de Meij
Bugler’s Holiday – Leroy Anderson, trans. Edwards
Star Wars: The Force Awakens – John Williams, arr. Bocook
Irish Tune from County Derry – Percy Grainger
West Side Story Selections – Leonard Bernstein, arr. Duthoit
Spring Wind Ensemble Concert, Sunday, April 29 at 2pm
Nimrod – Edward Elgar, arr. Reed
Manhattan Beach – John Philip Sousa
Symphony for Band – Vincent Persichetti
City Trees – Michael Markowski
Light Cavalry Overture – Franz von Suppé, arr. Fillmore
Overture to Candide – Leonard Bernstein, arr. Grundman
Give Us This Day – David Maslanka
So it was a busy spring, filled with surprises both wonderful and terrible. The summer promises something of a respite from all of this!