Program Notes
March Joyeuse — Emmanuel Chabrier (arr. Fred Junkin)
Emmanuel Chabrier (1841—1894)
Marche Joyeuse began its life as a piece for piano four hands (two people at one piano) written in 1885. Chabrier transformed, orchestrated and dedicated the work to fellow French composer Vincent d'Indy for a premiere later that year. Chabrier considered this piece "idiotically comical" and stated that "the musicians were in stitches." His characteristic wit is on full display throughout the piece, demonstrated by his inventive use of orchestration, harmony and rhythm. Debussy gave the piece high praise, calling it a "masterpiece of high fantasy."
— Program note by the United States Marine Band
Marche Joyeuse began its life as a piece for piano four hands (two people at one piano) written in 1885. Chabrier transformed, orchestrated and dedicated the work to fellow French composer Vincent d'Indy for a premiere later that year. Chabrier considered this piece "idiotically comical" and stated that "the musicians were in stitches." His characteristic wit is on full display throughout the piece, demonstrated by his inventive use of orchestration, harmony and rhythm. Debussy gave the piece high praise, calling it a "masterpiece of high fantasy."
— Program note by the United States Marine Band
Shenandoah — Omar Thomas
Omar Thomas (b. 1982)
Shenandoah is one of the most well-known and beloved Americana folk songs. Originally a river song detailing the lives and journeys of fur traders canoeing down the Missouri River, the symbolism of this melody has been expanded to include its geographic namesake — an area of the United States encompassing West Virginia and a good portion of Virginia and various parks, rivers, counties and academic institutions found within.
"In May of 2018, after hearing a really lovely duo arrangement of Shenandoah while adjudicating a music competition I asked myself how would I set it differently? I composed and assembled just about all of this arrangement in my head by assigning bass notes to the melody and filling in the harmony in my head afterwards. This arrangement recalls the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley, not bathed in golden sunlight, but blanketed by low-hanging clouds and experiencing intermittent periods of heavy rainfall. There are a few musical moments where the sun attempts to pierce through the clouds, but ultimately the rains win out. This arrangement is at times mysterious, somewhat ominous, constantly introspective, and deeply soulful."
— Program note by the composer
Hailed by Herbie Hancock as showing “great promise as a new voice in the further development of jazz in the future,” educator, arranger, and award-winning composer Omar Thomas (b. 1984) has created music extensively in the contemporary jazz ensemble idiom. He was awarded the Boston Music Award’s “Jazz Artist of the Year” in 2012. In 2017, he was selected to participate in the Cité Internationale des Arts residency in Paris, and in 2019 was the chosen recipient of the prestigious National Bandmasters Association/Revelli Award, honoring excellence in wind band composition. omarthomas.com
Shenandoah is one of the most well-known and beloved Americana folk songs. Originally a river song detailing the lives and journeys of fur traders canoeing down the Missouri River, the symbolism of this melody has been expanded to include its geographic namesake — an area of the United States encompassing West Virginia and a good portion of Virginia and various parks, rivers, counties and academic institutions found within.
"In May of 2018, after hearing a really lovely duo arrangement of Shenandoah while adjudicating a music competition I asked myself how would I set it differently? I composed and assembled just about all of this arrangement in my head by assigning bass notes to the melody and filling in the harmony in my head afterwards. This arrangement recalls the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley, not bathed in golden sunlight, but blanketed by low-hanging clouds and experiencing intermittent periods of heavy rainfall. There are a few musical moments where the sun attempts to pierce through the clouds, but ultimately the rains win out. This arrangement is at times mysterious, somewhat ominous, constantly introspective, and deeply soulful."
— Program note by the composer
Hailed by Herbie Hancock as showing “great promise as a new voice in the further development of jazz in the future,” educator, arranger, and award-winning composer Omar Thomas (b. 1984) has created music extensively in the contemporary jazz ensemble idiom. He was awarded the Boston Music Award’s “Jazz Artist of the Year” in 2012. In 2017, he was selected to participate in the Cité Internationale des Arts residency in Paris, and in 2019 was the chosen recipient of the prestigious National Bandmasters Association/Revelli Award, honoring excellence in wind band composition. omarthomas.com
Sinfonia — Zhou Tian
Zhou Tian (b. 1981)
I. Noir
Grainy films and stylized black-and-white images from the 1940s and '50s inspired this nostalgic throwback. Although it starts brightly, at its core lies the night.
II. Transit
New York City. Subway. Rush hour. Each stop opens to a new soundscape. "Did I hear Jazz?" someone asks. "Stand Clear of the Closing Doors," New York replies.
III. Arioso
Shanghai. Night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. A vocalise was conceived.
IV. D-O-N-E
May 10, 1869. Promontory, Utah. A one-word telegraph was sent across the United States in Morse code announcing the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad. Some 150 years later that word, "D-O-N-E," is transformed here into music using the rhythm of the Morse code. The "done" motif is passed back and forth by numerous instruments in the ensemble and an accumulation of materials sends the piece to a climax at the end.
— Program note by the composer
Sinfonia was jointly commissioned by a CBDNA consortium led by Michigan State University. Sinfonia was selected as the 2022 Sousa-ABA-Ostwald Award winning composition.
Zhou Tian is one of the foremost young composers today. He received his advanced degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music, the Juilliard School and the University of Southern California and currently is on the faculty at Michigan State University. His works for symphonic orchestra, symphonic band, chamber music and soloists have been performed by noted musicians and ensembles across the United States, Europe, and Asia. zhoutianmusic.com
I. Noir
Grainy films and stylized black-and-white images from the 1940s and '50s inspired this nostalgic throwback. Although it starts brightly, at its core lies the night.
II. Transit
New York City. Subway. Rush hour. Each stop opens to a new soundscape. "Did I hear Jazz?" someone asks. "Stand Clear of the Closing Doors," New York replies.
III. Arioso
Shanghai. Night of the Mid-Autumn Festival. A vocalise was conceived.
IV. D-O-N-E
May 10, 1869. Promontory, Utah. A one-word telegraph was sent across the United States in Morse code announcing the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad. Some 150 years later that word, "D-O-N-E," is transformed here into music using the rhythm of the Morse code. The "done" motif is passed back and forth by numerous instruments in the ensemble and an accumulation of materials sends the piece to a climax at the end.
— Program note by the composer
Sinfonia was jointly commissioned by a CBDNA consortium led by Michigan State University. Sinfonia was selected as the 2022 Sousa-ABA-Ostwald Award winning composition.
Zhou Tian is one of the foremost young composers today. He received his advanced degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music, the Juilliard School and the University of Southern California and currently is on the faculty at Michigan State University. His works for symphonic orchestra, symphonic band, chamber music and soloists have been performed by noted musicians and ensembles across the United States, Europe, and Asia. zhoutianmusic.com
———— Intermission ––––
Urban Light — James David
Paul Dooley (b. 1978)
Urban Light is a brilliant display of colors, forward momentum and intertwining rhythmic layers that is inspired by the iconic Los Angeles landmark of the same name. Created by conceptual art pioneer Chris Burden in 2008, the original work is an assemblage of historic streetlamps that were transplanted from various cities in California and Portland, Oregon. The tight spacing and repetitive forms interact with the famously dynamic LA sunlight transitioning to the exciting nighttime glow of the city. Primary melodic and rhythmic motives are derived from Morse code for the word "California," creating an asymmetrical and syncopated groove that continuously builds in energy. Parallel "barre" chords reveal a classic rock/metal influence that reaches its zenith with a heavy percussion backbeat. This work was commissioned by the National Band Association for its 60th anniversary and is dedicated to my wife who introduced me to the West Coast's beauty and spirit.
— Program note by the composer Summer 2021
Dr. James M. David (b. 1978) is an American composer and professor of music theory and composition at Colorado State University. His works have been performed and recorded by such prominent ensembles as the U.S. Air Force Band, the U.S. Army Band, and U.S. Navy Band and several symphony orchestras in the United States and Asia. Many of his works have won prestigious awards in the world of wind band music. jamesmdavid.com
Urban Light is a brilliant display of colors, forward momentum and intertwining rhythmic layers that is inspired by the iconic Los Angeles landmark of the same name. Created by conceptual art pioneer Chris Burden in 2008, the original work is an assemblage of historic streetlamps that were transplanted from various cities in California and Portland, Oregon. The tight spacing and repetitive forms interact with the famously dynamic LA sunlight transitioning to the exciting nighttime glow of the city. Primary melodic and rhythmic motives are derived from Morse code for the word "California," creating an asymmetrical and syncopated groove that continuously builds in energy. Parallel "barre" chords reveal a classic rock/metal influence that reaches its zenith with a heavy percussion backbeat. This work was commissioned by the National Band Association for its 60th anniversary and is dedicated to my wife who introduced me to the West Coast's beauty and spirit.
— Program note by the composer Summer 2021
Dr. James M. David (b. 1978) is an American composer and professor of music theory and composition at Colorado State University. His works have been performed and recorded by such prominent ensembles as the U.S. Air Force Band, the U.S. Army Band, and U.S. Navy Band and several symphony orchestras in the United States and Asia. Many of his works have won prestigious awards in the world of wind band music. jamesmdavid.com
Yellow Red Blue — Paul Dooley
Paul Dooley (b. 1983)
Yellow Red Blue honors Dr. Joseph Missal's storied career in the wind band world and his retirement and 35 years of service and dedication to the Greenwood School of Music at Oklahoma State University. In two contrasting movements, Yellow Red Blue explores Dr. Missal's love of chamber music, melody, counterpoint, color and structure, taking inspiration from his favorite visual artist, Gerhard Richter.
The first movement pays tribute to Dr. Missal's mentorship of thousands of young musicians, opening with a haunting waltz-like melody in the soprano saxophone transformed through a series of playful and contrapuntal variations in the woodwinds, brass and percussion. The second movement blends rich jazz harmonies with Baroque and Renaissance era musical styles in a series of rapidly shifting sonic color fields, inspired by Dr. Missal's musical intensity and command on the podium.
Paul Dooley is one of the most prolific and performed composers in America today. His path has embraced not only his Western Classical heritage, but also a cross-cultural range of contemporary music, dance, art, technology and the interactions between the human and natural worlds. pauldooley.net
Yellow Red Blue honors Dr. Joseph Missal's storied career in the wind band world and his retirement and 35 years of service and dedication to the Greenwood School of Music at Oklahoma State University. In two contrasting movements, Yellow Red Blue explores Dr. Missal's love of chamber music, melody, counterpoint, color and structure, taking inspiration from his favorite visual artist, Gerhard Richter.
The first movement pays tribute to Dr. Missal's mentorship of thousands of young musicians, opening with a haunting waltz-like melody in the soprano saxophone transformed through a series of playful and contrapuntal variations in the woodwinds, brass and percussion. The second movement blends rich jazz harmonies with Baroque and Renaissance era musical styles in a series of rapidly shifting sonic color fields, inspired by Dr. Missal's musical intensity and command on the podium.
Paul Dooley is one of the most prolific and performed composers in America today. His path has embraced not only his Western Classical heritage, but also a cross-cultural range of contemporary music, dance, art, technology and the interactions between the human and natural worlds. pauldooley.net
Big City Lights — Marie A. Douglas
Marie A. Douglas (b. 1987)
A short piece for wind band, inspired by the Hip-Hop subgenre "Trap Music," which finds its roots in the composer's hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Big City Lights includes textures, melodic, rhythmic and harmonic content not usually found in the traditional wind band realm and uses both electronic and acoustic means to achieve its effects.
Marie A. Douglas writes music that reflects her inner-city upbringing and her diverse musical experiences, drawing significant inspiration from the African Diaspora and effectively integrating elements of hip-hop and western art music idioms. — marieadouglas.com
A short piece for wind band, inspired by the Hip-Hop subgenre "Trap Music," which finds its roots in the composer's hometown of Atlanta, Georgia. Big City Lights includes textures, melodic, rhythmic and harmonic content not usually found in the traditional wind band realm and uses both electronic and acoustic means to achieve its effects.
Marie A. Douglas writes music that reflects her inner-city upbringing and her diverse musical experiences, drawing significant inspiration from the African Diaspora and effectively integrating elements of hip-hop and western art music idioms. — marieadouglas.com
Mothership — Mason Bates
Mason Bates (b. 1977)
Originally written for orchestra, arranged for wind ensemble by the composer.
The mothership floats high above, an orchestra pulsing rapidly with a heart of techno. At several moments in the piece, various soloists dock with the mothership, dropping in with solos both virtuosic and lyrical. The piece follows the form of a scherzo with double trio, but while symphonic scherzos historically play with dance rhythms such as the waltz, Mothership looks to 21st Century dance music (such as techno) to enliven its journey.
The work was commissioned by Michael Tilson Thomas and the YouTube Symphony, which premiered the work in March 2011 at the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
— Program note by the composer
Mason Bates is a Grammy award-winning American composer of symphonic music and DJ of electronic dance music. He was the first composer-in-residence of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and has also been in residence with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, and the California Symphony. masonbates.com.
Originally written for orchestra, arranged for wind ensemble by the composer.
The mothership floats high above, an orchestra pulsing rapidly with a heart of techno. At several moments in the piece, various soloists dock with the mothership, dropping in with solos both virtuosic and lyrical. The piece follows the form of a scherzo with double trio, but while symphonic scherzos historically play with dance rhythms such as the waltz, Mothership looks to 21st Century dance music (such as techno) to enliven its journey.
The work was commissioned by Michael Tilson Thomas and the YouTube Symphony, which premiered the work in March 2011 at the Sydney Opera House in Australia.
— Program note by the composer
Mason Bates is a Grammy award-winning American composer of symphonic music and DJ of electronic dance music. He was the first composer-in-residence of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and has also been in residence with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony, and the California Symphony. masonbates.com.
Triangle Wind Ensemble Performers
|
Flute
Cindy Chastang Merritt Flexman Lauren Robbins-Pollack Rosene Rohrer Jennifer Wesner Piccolo Cindy Chastang Clarinet Marianne Breneman Lecia Cecconi-Roberts* Misti Griffith Luna Knudsen Lorena Schakel Nick Siedentop Gail VanMatre Tara Wilkinson Eb Clarinet Lecia Cecconi-Roberts Bass Clarinet Victoria Alston |
Oboe
Virginia Carty Katie Michalak Bassoon Dale Broadbent Robin Hashey* Soprano Saxophone Aaron Payne* Alto Saxophone Nicholas Lira Aaron Payne* Tenor Saxophone Roberta Melton Baritone Saxophone Lynn Narveson |
Trumpet
Jim Alexander* Brian Breneman Kaitlyn DeHority Carey Forman Kris Gilmore Clay Michalec Kathy Silbiger Horn Laura Alexander* Dawn Jonckowski Michael Lewis Eric Smith Isaac Tomblin Euphonium Liz Jenkins Josh Sheppard Connie Varner* Trombone Michal Evans Garry Grabow Marshall Sweet |
Bass Trombone
Dorey A. Freeman Tuba Stephen Erickson Nelson Pardo Sam Schon Percussion Phillip Brown Bill Hayes* Adam Kuehn Jasmine Maya Rachel Oglesby Matthew Shore Piano Luna Knudsen Harp Samantha Horn DJ Ryan Wing Music Director Evan Feldman * Denotes Section Leader |
Special Thanks to Our 2023-24 Season Sponsors
Our Season Sponsors help provide the financial support needed to enable us to create outstanding music. To find our how you can become a Season Sponsor and the benefits of doing so, please visit our Sponsors page.
Fortississimo Level Sponsors
- Jim & Laura Alexander
- Lynn Narveson & Roberta Melton
- Kathy & Lex Silbiger
- Kim & Tim Sweet
- The Rotary Club of Cary-Page
- Brian & Marianne Breneman
- Christine & Sy Bui
- Catharine & James Carty
- Cindy Chastang
- Carey & Lisa Forman
- Judith & Paul Kindig
- KLS Percussion
- Katie Michalak
- Donna & Jim Sosnowski
- James Wagner
- Dale Broadbent
- Virginia Carty
- Lecia Cecconi-Roberts
- Maureen Davis
- Kaitlyn DeHority
- Michal Evans
- Merritt & Greg Flexman
- Kris Gilmore
- Garry & Kristi Grabow
- Bill Hayes
- Frank Hoss
- Paul & Holly Mandelkern
- Joel & Linda Johnson
- Dawn Jonckowski
- Ethel Radmer
- Lauren Robbins-Pollack
- Rosene & David Rohrer
- Tammy Schmidt
- Nick Siedentop
- Suresh Sus
- Marshall Sweet
- Gail & Reed VanMatre
- Connie Varner
- Cara & Jamie Vernon
- Ed & Kimberly Walaski
- Jennifer Wesner
- Julie Wesner
- Buddy & Charlotte West
- Bill White
- Tara Wilkinson
- Erin Wynia
Institutional Partners
Thanks also to the following institutional and community partners who have helped TWE in a variety of ways this year...
Our Music Director
Dr. Evan Feldman is Director of Wind Studies and Professor of Music at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where he conducts the Wind Ensemble and teaches courses in conducting and music education. He also directs the Triangle Wind Ensemble and serves as Principal Guest Conductor of the Greensboro Sym- phony, where he conducts education, holiday, and pops concerts.
He is an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator in and outside of the United States, with recent engagements in Spain, Switzerland, Romania, Belgium, and Tanzania, as well as all-state, all-district, and all-county honor bands in the United States. Under his direction, the UNC Wind Ensemble has twice been invited to perform at the College Band Directors National Association southern division conference.
In 2020, Dr. Feldman’s college textbook, Instrumental Music Education (Routledge Publishing), was released in its third edition and has been adopted by university music education programs throughout the country. He is the author of the first MOOC (massive open online course) dedicated to conducting and rehearsal technique. Over 30,000 students have enrolled through Coursera.org.
Dr. Feldman’s arrangements and editions of music by Léo Delibes, Ralph Vaughan Williams, George Enescu, Antonin Dvořák, Ariel Ramirez, and Sergei Prokofiev are published by Tierolff Muziekcentrale.
Dr. Feldman earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he studied with Donald Hunsberger and Mendi Rodan and served as an assistant conductor for the Eastman Wind Ensemble and Eastman Wind Orchestra. He received his Masters in Conducting from Ithaca College and his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Duke University. He previously taught high school band in Hicksville, NY.
He is an active guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator in and outside of the United States, with recent engagements in Spain, Switzerland, Romania, Belgium, and Tanzania, as well as all-state, all-district, and all-county honor bands in the United States. Under his direction, the UNC Wind Ensemble has twice been invited to perform at the College Band Directors National Association southern division conference.
In 2020, Dr. Feldman’s college textbook, Instrumental Music Education (Routledge Publishing), was released in its third edition and has been adopted by university music education programs throughout the country. He is the author of the first MOOC (massive open online course) dedicated to conducting and rehearsal technique. Over 30,000 students have enrolled through Coursera.org.
Dr. Feldman’s arrangements and editions of music by Léo Delibes, Ralph Vaughan Williams, George Enescu, Antonin Dvořák, Ariel Ramirez, and Sergei Prokofiev are published by Tierolff Muziekcentrale.
Dr. Feldman earned the Doctor of Musical Arts in Conducting from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York, where he studied with Donald Hunsberger and Mendi Rodan and served as an assistant conductor for the Eastman Wind Ensemble and Eastman Wind Orchestra. He received his Masters in Conducting from Ithaca College and his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Duke University. He previously taught high school band in Hicksville, NY.
