Wind Ensemble fall concert: A review
by MARY HELEN STILL
Issue date: 11/23/09 Section: A&E
The Piedmont College Wind Ensemble boldly made their presence known from the first downbeat of their concert this past Tuesday night.
Opening with a fierce number, Amparito Roca, arranged by Aubrey Winter, the Wind Ensemble evoked the hot spirit of a Spanish bullfighter.
While much of the program consisted of these modern crowd pleasers, the ensemble next paid tribute to one of the great fathers of band music, Gustav Holst.
Best known for his orchestral work, The Planets, Holst wrote a great deal of music for band, including the First Suite in E Flat for Military Band.
In the first movement, Chaconne, the Wind Ensemble showed great sensitivity to the primary motive that moved from section to section throughout the ensemble, always making it heard clearly over the accompanying variations.
The third movement, March, was quite a work out for the trumpets, but was well executed.
While the rest of the ensemble rested momentarily, four of the clarinetists took over.
The group, including clarinet majors Benji Stegner and Haylei Sheriff, voice major Phillip Slusser, and guest performer Melissa Dean, formed a clarinet quartet.
The quartet was led by Martin Dean, wind instruments instructor.
The clarinet has a wide range, but its potential is sometimes unexplored within the confines of a larger ensemble.
In Bagatelle, by Clare Grundman, the quartet exhibited a sensitive and lush sound was reminiscent of the capabilities of not only the instrument, but of our talented performers here at Piedmont.
The rest of the concert was full of fun, upbeat pieces that had every toe in the Chapel tapping, including another performance by the clarinet quartet.
Scott Joplin's memorable composition, The Entertainer, was interesting for a clarinet ensemble in an arrangement by James McLeod, but ultimately well suited to the new idiom.
Two medleys of Christmas music were also presented: Noel Français arranged by James Ployhar and A Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson.
In Noel Français, one of our largest student percussion sections in recent years was nicely featured, particularly senior music major Portia Burns on a new Pearl bass drum, the department's most recent addition to its instrument inventory.
The last piece on the program, A Christmas Festival, hit all the favorites, from O Come All Ye Faithful to Jingle Bells, even playing these two simultaneously at one point.
It may not be Christmas yet, but it feels a whole lot closer after this performance.
The Piedmont College Wind Ensemble played a wonderful concert of heartwarming favorites.
Opening with a fierce number, Amparito Roca, arranged by Aubrey Winter, the Wind Ensemble evoked the hot spirit of a Spanish bullfighter.
While much of the program consisted of these modern crowd pleasers, the ensemble next paid tribute to one of the great fathers of band music, Gustav Holst.
Best known for his orchestral work, The Planets, Holst wrote a great deal of music for band, including the First Suite in E Flat for Military Band.
In the first movement, Chaconne, the Wind Ensemble showed great sensitivity to the primary motive that moved from section to section throughout the ensemble, always making it heard clearly over the accompanying variations.
The third movement, March, was quite a work out for the trumpets, but was well executed.
While the rest of the ensemble rested momentarily, four of the clarinetists took over.
The group, including clarinet majors Benji Stegner and Haylei Sheriff, voice major Phillip Slusser, and guest performer Melissa Dean, formed a clarinet quartet.
The quartet was led by Martin Dean, wind instruments instructor.
The clarinet has a wide range, but its potential is sometimes unexplored within the confines of a larger ensemble.
In Bagatelle, by Clare Grundman, the quartet exhibited a sensitive and lush sound was reminiscent of the capabilities of not only the instrument, but of our talented performers here at Piedmont.
The rest of the concert was full of fun, upbeat pieces that had every toe in the Chapel tapping, including another performance by the clarinet quartet.
Scott Joplin's memorable composition, The Entertainer, was interesting for a clarinet ensemble in an arrangement by James McLeod, but ultimately well suited to the new idiom.
Two medleys of Christmas music were also presented: Noel Français arranged by James Ployhar and A Christmas Festival by Leroy Anderson.
In Noel Français, one of our largest student percussion sections in recent years was nicely featured, particularly senior music major Portia Burns on a new Pearl bass drum, the department's most recent addition to its instrument inventory.
The last piece on the program, A Christmas Festival, hit all the favorites, from O Come All Ye Faithful to Jingle Bells, even playing these two simultaneously at one point.
It may not be Christmas yet, but it feels a whole lot closer after this performance.
The Piedmont College Wind Ensemble played a wonderful concert of heartwarming favorites.
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