Posted on Tuesday, February 1, 2005
The Westminster College Wind Ensemble presents "Fanfare and Commemoration", a mid-winter concert Friday, Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in Orr Auditorium.
The Westminster College Wind Ensemble is a select ensemble, chosen through audition. It is designed to feature the minimum instrumentation to perform some of the finest in new and established instrumental music. Since its emergence in 1998, the ensemble has been selected through audition for a concert tour of China, and last year was a featured performer for the Pennsylvania Music Educators Association's State Convention.
Dr. R. Tad Greig, director of instrumental activities, assistant professor in music education and the conductor of the Wind Ensemble, gave some insight into the ensemble. "As the Music Department at Westminster has grown and developed over the past ten years, the music faculty has been able to diversify the musical experience offered to our students. The Wind Ensemble is one such addition. Unlike a larger band, this one operates on a one-one-a-part instrumentation that further challenges each musician. I am extremely proud of how our instrumental music students have met this challenge and their continued desire to push their musical limits. The upcoming concert will be an example of this."
Of the many diverse and challenging works performed, one will be a composition receiving its area premiere and composed by Westminster alumnus and Hickory High School graduate Stephen Barr. "Dragonmusik" was composed in 2000 receiving its premiere with the West Virginia University Wind Ensemble.
"I am very excited to feature Stephen's work," Greig said. "It is very contemporary and utilizes many unique blends of instrumental timbre. It is also wonderful to welcome back one of our successful music alumni to talk with our students and share his experience for their benefit."
Barr is completing his doctorate in composition from West Virginia University. He resides in Florida, where he is a music educator and on the adjunct faculty of the University of South Florida. Barr will be in the audience for the performance and will present a masterclass for the college music majors.
Other works on the concert will be the "Second Symphony, opus 44" by James Barnes, the "March from the Symphonic Metamorphosis" by Paul Hindemith, The "Fanfare from La Peri" (featuring the brass section) by Paul Dukas, "Pacific Commemoration" by Mark Camphouse (Professor Camphouse performed a seminar with the Wind Ensemble on this piece in December), and "Snow Caps" by Richard Saucedo.
"The Wind Ensemble this year is the finest sounding group we have had in many years. Dr. Greig continues to challenge us further each year. We have worked really hard for this concert so it should prove to be one our best performances," said Cyndi Mancini, a trumpet and music education major from McKees Rocks.
Allison Henley, saxophone and music education major from Grove City said "This semester's choice of literature has proven to be the most difficult for the Wind Ensemble and will truly show the talents of all the musicians. All of us have worked extremely hard for the concert and I look forward to the outcome."
"We are playing a wide variety of pieces for this concert, and there is a broad range of styles and sounds in the types of music you'll hear. It's been fun and interesting to learn these pieces, especially having the pleasure of working with composer Mark Camphouse and premiering a piece by Westminster alumus Stephen Barr," said senior broadcast communications major and percussionist Laura Krutschnitt of Brunswick, Ohio.
"This semester in Wind Ensemble has been the most challenging semester for me. Dr. Greig has raised the bar, proving that we are capable of playing difficult and enjoyable music. The music is very diverse, yet interesting for all music lovers. The concert on Feb. 11th will show the talents of the Wind Ensemble, as well as how hard we have worked to show our passion and love of music." Cassandra Walker, French horn, senior music major and band president of McDonald.
The concert is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Greig at (724) 946-7279 or e-mail greigrk@westminster.edu.
