Eastman School of Music - Score Yearbook (Rochester, NY)

Page 96 text:

Third Annual Symphonic Wind Ensemble Conference 5 F' The Third Annual Symphonic Wind Ensemble Conference was held on April 6-7-8, 1972. Over seventy- five college band directors, music industry representatives, and instrumental performers attended the var- ious sessions held in both the Eastman Theatre and Kilbourn Hall. One of the most important features of the conference was the assemblage of professional musicians from all parts of the country while the regular school year was in full activity. The Wind Ensemble performed in three specific literature programs in addition to an open rehearsal and a gala concert in the Eastman Theatre. The first of these, the Conferences opening session, featured music for the orchestra wind section and included among other works: Shadow Wood by Warren Benson and Verne Reynold's Scenes. The second session centered about the concerto for piano with wind accompaniment, during which Rebecca Oekerman was soloist in the Concerto for Piano and Winds by Robert Starer, and Kimberly Schmidt was soloist in the Stravinsky Concerto for Piano and Winds. Dr. David Whitwell, nationally recognized authority on eighteenth century Viennese wind music, pre- sented a program of heretofore unknown wind music for various instrumentations of the eighteenth centu- ry wind band. On Friday evening, April 7, the Wind Ensemble with guest conductors Frederick Fennell, David Whit- well, Frank Battisti and Henry Romersa, presented a gala Fiftieth Anniversary Concert, which included the premieres of Howard Hanson's Dies Natalis II and A Nostalgic jazz Odyssey by john T. Williams, both of which were conducted by Donald Hunsberger. Frederick Fennell's appearance with the Wind Ensemble marked his first since he left the school ten years ago. Saturday morning's program featured the Cireater Rochester Youth Wind Ensemble in a program of works for the secondary school level performer. Frederick Fennell and David Whitwell joined Dr. Hunsber- ger in conducting this session. That afternoon, Norbert Buskey conducted the Symphony Band in a session of original compositions for the Biannual Eastern CBDNA Compositions Competition. The work selected to represent the Eastern Division at the CBDNA N ' ' ' ' tl ational Conference in 1973 was Symphonic Varia ions by Morris Haigh, a current doctoral composition student at Eastman. 92 Donald Hunsberger

Page 95 text:

We Have Met The Enemy And They Have Yawned. Mr. Wallis, why do you find the proposals by the Eastman School students and faculty so irresistably boring ? A University is made up of administration and maintenence Don't you think anything is wrong? Of course not, look at the reviews. The critics were kinder than they should have been and they did make a point of our being a student orchestra. You must think the critics are a bunch of ninnies ! Pardon? A university is made up of administration and maintenance

Page 97 text:

W'nd Ensemble, th , Com etin fOiSEaSiIZg?iSpfsgfeiigglgniyrhittled down that imaginary difference b t Ph l G Ween i ia and it- slef 1 p g p - p is grou t t . P S a us and certainly equaled Phila if not surpassing it. Q Eastman hosted in early April the Third Annual W. d E in nsemble Conference and gave Wind Ememble 1 chance to show its wa , E ' - - . h res xposing itself in five critical sessions the group erform d l 5 . Q t ll f om . t- dr . . a in wind octets to the soth Annivers C f. p A ex reme y we r sigh re g ary oncert whef t e 1 performed under five different conduc- tors in one evening. Though the large number of Com t d was difficult to grasp the essence of so en rate Sessi me of the i , P eces for the performers, Wind Ensemble once and for .ull on . . s were strenuous and tiring and it er seventy- ed the var- icians from zrformed in ie Eastman section and The second 1 Oekermafl aloist in the music, Pre' fenth centu' David Whit' dine both of Ld Ensemble include lmsl ram Of prog ir Humber' in 3 sessiilg i led? 0fl4 99 ' - ' s ic Variation I Hurwberger disspelled any thoughts of it being the number two group th- IS year. stman Wind Ensemble and 5Cenes was completed in March 1971 and was written especially for the Ea l ' d ection four percussion players, piano and celes- Donald Hunsberger. It is scored for large orchestra win s , 1 ' ' h h le ensemble, others for smaller ta- There are seven scenes, played without pause, several using t e w o l dt chnical construction is generally serial although gf0UP1f1gS, and some for solo instruments. The tona an e not to the exclusion of such things as jazz rhythms, improvisatory sections, and other devices not yet la- beled. The main intent of the piece is to provide 'scenes' or settings in which wind and percussion instru- ' ' d essive qualities. ments can most effectively ma ke use of their colors, tenhniques, an expr Verne Reynolds 93