What pieces will be performed?
Early Light by Carolyn Bremer, Homecoming by Alex Shapiro, Perseids by Alexandra Gardner, and Roma by Valerie Coleman.
Is there a theme for the concert?
The theme of this concert is Women in Music. This is one in a series of concerts this semester commemorating the 200th anniversary of the birth of Clara Schumann. The four women featured on Saturday’s concert, Alex Shapiro, Carolyn Bremer, Alexandra Gardner, and Valerie Coleman have also made significant contributions to music as composers, a field typically dominated by white men. Though they write for a variety of music genres, their wind band works are quite noteworthy. These works are distinctly different from one another in terms of how each composer has chosen to use basic elements of music, i.e. rhythm, harmony, and melody.
How many people are involved in this concert?
The University Symphonic Band has 62 members and is also augmented by additional instruments not typical of the band. One piece calls for keyboard, electric guitar and electric bass, whilst another piece calls for the celeste of keyboard.
What has been your favorite thing about conducting this year’s band, either for this specific concert or for the whole year?
I’ve been very pleased with the growth of everyone in the ensemble. The first-year students have been particularly impressive with regard to their commitment to the music and their performance standard. I’ve also been impressed with how many of the non-music majors have risen to meet the challenges presented by this repertoire.
Is there anything special being done for the band’s graduating seniors?
We honor our seniors who are playing their final concert with a white carnation. Adeline Wolfe, a secondary ed major in mathematics, has been in the band since her first semester at SU. She is student teaching next semester so this will be her final performance with us. Addy has contributed so much to our program and she will be missed. Kaitlyn Troutman is graduating with a BA in Music and has also contributed so much to our program. We wish them both all the best in the months and years to come. Next semester we will honor graduating seniors in a similar fashion.
Is there anything else you would like to mention?
The Symphonic Band has worked very hard toward giving an expressive and convincing performance of this music. We are looking forward to this opportunity to share this music with the audience on Saturday, Dec. 7.