I’ve just returned from the 2018 NYSSMA Winter Conference. I was privileged to be able to serve in at least 3 different roles while there. First, I was representing Hartwick College on the exhibition floor so All State students and their directors could find out about our very special programs. For the first time, I was also given the opportunity to be a clinician (more to come on that). Finally, I had the humbling experience of hearing New York’s finest young musicians play together in the All State ensembles. To call it awesome would be an understatement.
My experience began on Thursday evening with my presentation, “The Magic of Singing with your Band,” sponsored by my friends at NYSBDA. In it, I showed how singing in band rehearsals can make difference for your ensemble. I got a great, unexpectedly large crowd who asked wonderful questions at the end, and I made everyone sing! Click the links to see the PowerPoint and the Handout.
The conference featured 3 spectacular band concerts. The first, on Thursday evening, featured the Brooklyn Wind Symphony under the direction of Jeff W. Ball and Kimberly Roof.
Revelry – William Pitts
Downey Overture – Oscar Navarro
Brooklyn Air – Michael Markowski
Through the Looking Glass – Jess Turner
March from “Symphonic Metamorphosis” – Paul Hindemith, trans. Keith Wilson
Dragon Rhyme (2nd movement) – Chen Yi
The All State Wind Ensemble, led by James Tapia, played the following:
Overture to Candide – Leonard Bernstein
Milestone – Roshanne Etezady
One Life Beautiful – Julie Giroux
Rocky Point Holiday – Ron Nelson
The 160-member All State Symphonic Band, led by Cynthia Johnston Turner, presented the following program:
SHOUTOUT – Roshanne Etezady
Give Us This Day – David Maslanka
Of Our New Day Begun – Omar Thomas
This was another tremendous NYSSMA festival. I look forward to going back next year!