This past weekend, the members of CBDNA’s Eastern Division got together at Temple University in Philadelphia for some clinics, concerts, camaraderie, and the obligatory cheese steak. The division board, led by President Charles Peltz, and the hosts at Temple (Trish Cornett and Matt Brunner) put together a terrific weekend. It was extra special that I got to share it with 4 students, all of whom were participating in the Intercollegiate Band (more to come on that later). Note: all of the conference sessions and concerts are archived at the Temple University YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/boyercollege/live

I missed the earliest sessions on Friday while in transit with my students, but by all accounts they were very much worth attending. Topics covered included chamber music for winds, the legacy of oboist Marcel Tabuteau (which touched on the current Philadelphia Orchestra oboist controversy), and a newly discovered movement of Vincent Persichetti’s Divertimento (spoilers: he probably threw it away because he didn’t like it!). I arrived just in time for a session on advising at small schools, in which discussion centered on how to attract and keep non-major students in band.

After a healthy lunch of cheese steaks, we returned to a session with composer Michael Gandolfi in which he detailed the changes he made to his Vientos y Tangos in order to accommodate smaller bands. This was born from an initiative by the CBDNA Eastern Division board to bring more of the high-level, classic repertoire within the reach of smaller bands. With certain common features of small band program life not yet considered, such as the lack of bassoons and oboes, Gandolfi himself admitted that the new version, to be called Nuevos Vientos y Tangos, was still a work in progress.

Joseph Higgins and the Rowan University Wind Ensemble had the honor of presenting the conference’s first concert. Their concert was intentionally peppered with Philadelphia street sounds, which were recorded live in the months beforehand. They played:

“Rondo” from American Symphony – Adam Schoenberg, trans. Don Patterson

Ronald Searle Suite – Lyn Murray, orch. Frederick Steiner

Nuevos Vientos y Tangos – Michael Gandolfi (world premiere)

Broadloom – Kala Pierson

“My Hands Are a City” from Symphony no. 1 – Jonathan Newman

The Ronald Searle Suite was an obvious highlight. It featured a chamber ensemble playing along to video by Ronald Searle, called “Energetically Yours,” that was commissioned for Standard Oil in 1957. The music played live was excerpts of the score that originally accompanied the film. The original is all on YouTube:

The Pierson also left a strong impression – it was non-conducted, free-form piece that featured the entire ensemble, placed around the edges of the hall, playing meditative drones and riffs.

We returned to the recital hall for Matthew Westgate’s look at clarinetist Anton Stadler’s influence on Mozart’s clarinet works. This included a look at the famous Gran Partita, among other works.

Back in the concert hall, the West Chester University Wind Symphony, led by M. Gregory Martin, presented a program dedicated to Philadelphia composers:

Canzona – Peter Mennin

Kelly’s Field – Jennifer Higdon

Symphony no. 6 – Vincent Persichetti

Commando March – Samuel Barber

I could not help but be moved at the sight and sound of these students, members of the “second band” at West Chester, having the experience of performing the Persichetti. This concert represented non-major music making at its finest.

The host band got to show its stuff after dinner. Trish Cornett led the Temple University Wind Symphony in:

Fanfare for a Joyful Occasion – William Alwyn

A Solemn Place – Wayne Oquin, conducted by Matt Brunner

Three Miniatures – Anthony Plog, with Carol Jantsch on tuba

Strata – Kathryn Salfelder (world premiere)

Sinfonia DeLuxe (Symphony no. 3) – Jay Krush (world premiere)

Boys of the Old Brigade march (encore)

The opening fanfare showcased Temple’s outstanding brass and percussion players. Carol Jantsch completely owned the Plog – I’m not sure I’ve ever heard such a combination of clarity, precision, and musical integrity from a tuba player. And I was sitting directly above her bell! The Krush set up a fundamental contrast between woodwinds (harmonie) and brass (jazz band) to create some fascinating lines and textures. The second movement, evoking deceased voices of a past steeped in slavery and exploitation, was especially powerful.

Saturday morning began with a roundtable discussion of issues facing small bands, particularly recruitment and retention of students. While this is an important topic to consider, especially as we head for the Great Enrollment Decline of 2026, these issues are not unique to small band programs. There is certainly more that CBDNA could do to address the issues that affect small band programs the most.

This session was followed by another with a small band of sorts: an octet comprised of Philadelphia Orchestra wind players. They played excerpts from and discussed approaches to Beethoven’s Wind Octet, op. 103 before giving a full, rousing performance of the piece. The next session paid tribute to Frank Battisti’s iconic years at the New England Conservatory and beyond.

Back in concert land, Vu Nguyen and the University of Connecticut Wind Ensemble played a program that celebrated their own musical history:

A Cornfield in July and The River – William Penn, with Rod Nelman as bass soloist

Christina’s World – Kenneth Fuchs

Symphony no. 2 – James Syler

I found both the Penn and the Fuchs to be pleasantly contemplative. The Syler was full of ear-worms in every register – a particularly impressive, recurring tuba lick is still stuck in my head now. He somehow struck the perfect balance between musical accessibility and academic rigor (a 12-tone row was involved) to create a piece of real and lasting power. I desperately hope that James Syler will write more music in the grade 4-5 range soon, so that mere-mortal band programs like mine can play his music!

The Crane Wind Ensemble came next, led by Brian Doyle.

An Outdoor Overture – Aaron Copland

Quicksilver – Stacy Garrop, with saxophonist Casey Grev

D’un Matin du Printemps – Lili Boulanger, trans. François Branciard, conducted by William Lake

Shenandoah – Omar Thomas

Prelude, Siciliano, and Rondo – Malcolm Arnold, trans. John P. Paynter

In a program otherwise stacked with established classics, the Garrop actually occupied the greatest amount of time, clocking in at around 30 minutes. The Boulanger teemed with life and vigor, reminding us all of the true tragedy of her premature passing at age 25 more than a century ago. I’ve already advocated for the Thomas on this site and elsewhere – it is a magnificently dark and meditative adaptation of this classic melody.

After an informative session by James Spinazzola about touring and collaborating in Haiti, the Intercollegiate Band took the stage. This group featured students from 18 schools around the Northeast, including 4 of mine from Hartwick. With Elizabeth Peterson at the helm, they played:

Florentiner March – Julius Fucik

Peace Dancer – Jodie Blackshaw

Colorado Peaks – Dana Wilson

Angels in the Architecture – Frank Ticheli

Dance of the Jester – Peter Tchaikovsky, trans. Cramer

According to my students, the Wilson was a surprise addition to the program that did not arrive on the stands until after the dinner break on Friday. Regardless, the entire performance sparkled with energy and musicality. They sounded like an established university band that meets regularly, not a pickup band that literally met the day before their concert. Bravo to Dr. Peterson and all of the CBDNA-E ICB members!.

The conference ended with the University of Delaware Wind Ensemble, led by CBDNA Eastern Division President-Elect Lauren Reynolds:

Roma – Valerie Coleman

Summerland – William Grant Still, arr. Teter

Concertino Caboclo – Jess Langston Turner, with flute soloist Eileen Grycky

Poème du feu – Ida Gotkovsky

It was a packed and, ultimately, refreshing weekend, full of excellent music making and, more importantly, the excellent camaraderie that I hope will distinguish the Eastern Division for years to come.