|
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
||
Oberlin College Community Winds to Showcase Traditional Band Literature, Thursday, December 2, 8 P.M. in Finney Chapel
Story by Linda
Shockley
Photos by Michael
Chipman
|
|
|
THE PROGRAM • The Inferno and The Ascension, from "The
Divine Comedy," by Robert W. Smith Intermission • Chester, by William Schuman (1910-1992)
|
|
|
RELATED
On Thursday, December 2, the Oberlin College Community Winds will offer a program composed entirely of some of the biggest works in the traditional band literature, including works by Robert W. Smith, Peter Mennin, Clifton Williams, William Schuman and John Barnes Chance. The concert begins at 8 p.m. in Finney Chapel. It is free and open to the public.
"I specifically chose not to select any orchestral transcriptions as a means of showing off the excitement and substance of large wind-only compositions. All of the selections on this program feature the strength and drive of the brass section, technique and beauty of the woodwinds, and the variety and rhythms of over thirty percussion instruments," explains Winds conductor Barry White, visiting assistant professor of music education. Visiting professor White was brought to the Conservatory to replace John Knight during Knight's sabbatical, a time he is using to complete a book on great conductors.
White
adds, "Our biggest goal this semester has been the
development of a unified group concept of tone and balance.
I strive for the rich sonorities that can only be achieved
when all of the individuals focus on blending and fusing
each timbre downward to the fundamental. We are particularly
proud of the fact that we have a full compliment of low
woodwind players as well as the entire tuba studio of the
Conservatory!
"While this is one of the largest groups in Oberlin band history with a sizable number of new members, it is rewarding to see so many long-time members, some of whom drive long distances to perform with a band of this caliber. I have been impressed by the discipline and focus of this ensemble and their willingness to embrace concepts that demand 'outside the box thinking' as well as creative and expressive notions of ensemble teamwork."
The College Community Winds is a 70-member ensemble comprised of Oberlin College students, musicians from area communities and Oberlin Conservatory students. Winds members include numerous local music teachers, band directors and school administrators; it's not unusual for multiple family members to perform with the group. The ensemble offers original music and transcriptions for band, featuring faculty and student soloists, guest conductors, and guest composers-in-residence.
The ensemble was founded in 1992 as a Conservatory outreach program by John Knight, professor of music education and director of the Division of Conducting and Ensembles.
The group replaced the Symphonic Band, which Knight founded in 1978 as a Winter Term project. Knight also serves as conductor for the group.
"Oberlin is blessed with great musical talent and a strong community of music lovers," said Knight. "The Conservatory has a long history of bringing those two groups together. The College Community Winds offers additional opportunities for serious musicians to perform. As a bonus, those opportunities take place at our acclaimed Conservatory with outstanding faculty and student soloists. The Conservatory is a place of extraordinary musical creativity, and performing here enhances musicianship."
The ensemble, Knight said, is a natural evolution from the beginnings of the Music Education program, which, at its founding in 1921, became the nation's first four-year college degree program in music education. Karl W. Gehrkens, founder of the Music Education program at Oberlin proclaimed the motto, " All for music, music for all."
Back to the Backstage Pass
|
|
