By Devyn Briones
Staff Writer
The main stage in Kendall Hall held yet another performance, but this time, three groups were featured: the Concert Band, Wind Orchestra and Wind Ensemble.
Each ensemble took their turn on stage, performing four to five pieces that ranged from lively and celebratory pieces to more somber and reflective works. Together, the performances created a musical journey titled, “Reflections: Time & Space,” which showcased their talent and dedication.
The performances offered the audience an engaging mix of moods and styles, showcasing the talent of both the student performers and the expertise of their conductors.
Hriday Parikh conducted the Concert Band. (Photo courtesy of John Bonacci)
The Concert Band was led by Matthew Pettis, an assistant director of bands at the College. He is also the director of bands and marching band director at Neshaminy High School in Langhorne, Pa. and serves as the associate director of the Doylestown Symphonic Winds, according to the School of Arts and Communication faculty page.
“This group is about 95% music majors,” Pettis said. “We meet twice a week for about an hour and 20 minutes. And we have a good time, right?” he jokingly asked the Concert Band.
The Concert Band set the tone for the evening by opening with “Celebration” by Randall Standridge, an upbeat piece with an almost Christmas-like feel.
The next selection performed was “Dusk” by Steven Bryant. This piece was contradicting to the one played before, which can even be assumed from its title. Although “Dusk” had a more somber feel, the Concert Band captured its emotion beautifully. This piece was also led by student conductor, Hriday Parikh, a senior music education major.
“In the Bleak Midwinter,” composed by Gustav Holst and arranged by Robert W. Smith, and “Tarantella” by Carol Brittin Chambers completed the Concert Band’s portion of Friday’s program.
Wind Orchestra takes the stage. (Photo courtesy of John Bonacci)
The Wind Orchestra took the spotlight, conducted by Adam Warshafsky, another Assistant Director of Bands at the College. Along with working at the College, Warshafsky also conducts the Montgomery High School Wind Ensemble, where over 220 of his students have performed at Carnegie Hall, Richardson Auditorium, the Nicholas Music Center and many other venues, according to the School of Arts and Communication faculty page.
“Danza No. 2” by Bruce Yurko was the first piece performed. This mournful composition was inspired by a tragic accident. Before the ensemble began to play, Yurko himself took the stage to explain how he came to create this work.
The piece was written in memory of Matthew Hornick, a music educator. During his second year of teaching, he was driving to class where he was struck in a car accident and lost his life. Hornick graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he was a member of the wind ensemble.
“He was a solo clarinetist for four years in a row, and that shows you the type of musician Matthew was,” Yurko said.
“Shenandoah” by Omar Thomas followed, and then “Spoon River: An American Folk Dance” by Percy Aldridge Grainger, arranged by Glenn Cliffe Bainum.
The last piece was “Hands Across the Sea” by John Philip Sousa, and was led by student conductor Matthew Brown, a senior studying music education at the College.
Wind Ensemble concluded the night. (Photo courtesy of John Bonacci)
The Wind Ensemble finally took their turn on stage, led by Eric Laprade, the ensemble’s conductor. Laprade specializes in wind band conducting and serves as an associate professor of music and director of bands at the College, according to the School of Arts and Communication faculty page.
“Fanfare on Amazing Grace” by Adolphus Hailstork, transcribed by Don Patterson, was first in line to be performed. This piece was also led by a student conductor, senior Gabriella Kaniuk, a music education major.
Next came “Chester” by William Schuman, and “Folk Music” by Louis Stewart, which featured a special guest on the trumpet: Jonathan Heim. Heim is a top call orchestral and commercial trumpet player in New York City who currently holds the co-principal chair with the NYC Ballet at Lincoln Center. Along with playing at the Metropolitan Opera and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, he has also played in Broadway films such as “Wicked,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Carousel” and more.
“City Lights and Night Skies,” a composition by Parikh followed.
Born and raised in Rajkot, India, Parikh was introduced to Hindustani music at an early age. After moving to America and joining his school’s band and choir, he was then exposed to Western music.
Now, he works to blend the two types of music to represent his personal identity as an Indian-American. Parikh has also finished two works for a large ensemble, a clarinet quartet, a piece for a string ensemble and other works for mixed ensembles.
The ensemble ended the night with “Baron Cimetiere’s Mambo” by Donald Grantham.
The evening very much showcased the talent of the College’s student musicians, as each ensemble brought their own energy to the performance. The concert was a fitting tribute to the theme, “Reflections: Time & Space,” blending emotion, skill and precision in each piece.
