Program Notes
Notezart — Cindy McTee
Notezart (2017). Originally commissioned by the Brass and Percussion Ensemble of the National Orchestra of Lyon, Notezart for wind symphony is dedicated to Eugene Corporon, a prominent wind-ensemble conductor and champion of new music. The composer, Cindy McTee used the familiar theme of the opening of the third movement of Mozart's Eine Kleine Nachtmusik as her inspiration, but you will also hear 12-tone passages and unusual harmonies. McTee believes that music either sings or it dances, and characterizes her music as intentionally playful and humorous. Cindy McTee enjoyed a 30-year teaching career alongside her activities as a composer, and retired from the University of North Texas as Regents Professor Emerita in 2011. Her works have received performances by leading ensembles throughout the world
Sweet Chariot — Carlos Simon
Sweet Chariot (2019). Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is one of the most well-known African American spirituals. However, its beauty and popularity may indicate that the song's true meaning has been overlooked. Carlos Simon has taken fragments of the melody and combined it with Gregorian Chant from the Latin mass for the dead, In Paradisum. Its text reads in part: "May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs receive you at your arrival and lead you to the holy city Jerusalem. . . may you have eternal rest."
Carlos Simon, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, writes music ranging from concert music for large and small ensembles to film scores with influences of jazz, gospel and neo-reomanticism. He is Composer-in-Residence for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and was named a recipient of the 2021 Sphinx Medal of Excellence recognizing extraordinary classical Black and Latinx musicians. Recent commissions have come from major orchestras and ensembles across the country, including the NY Philharmonic, LA Philharmonic, LA Opera, Philadelphia Orchestra, and many others.
Carlos Simon, a native of Atlanta, Georgia, writes music ranging from concert music for large and small ensembles to film scores with influences of jazz, gospel and neo-reomanticism. He is Composer-in-Residence for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and was named a recipient of the 2021 Sphinx Medal of Excellence recognizing extraordinary classical Black and Latinx musicians. Recent commissions have come from major orchestras and ensembles across the country, including the NY Philharmonic, LA Philharmonic, LA Opera, Philadelphia Orchestra, and many others.
selections from Old American Songs — Aaron Copland
Selections from Old American Songs (1950-1952). I Bought Me a Cat and Zion's Walls are two selections from two sets of American folk tunes arranged by Aaron Copland at the request of fellow composer Benjamin Britten. Both pieces received their American premieres with Copland himself playing the piano and noted baritone William Warfield singing. Copland transcribed both sets for vocal soloist and orchestra in 1957, and William H. Silvester transcribed them for band in 2001. I Bought Me a Cat is a whimsical children's song in the style of Old MacDonald Had a Farm, and affords the soloist and the band the "opportunity" to impersonate various animals. Zion's Walls is a revivalist tune with words by John G. McCurry, a farmer from Georgia who published the song collection, The Social Harp. Copland used this song again in his opera, The Tender Land.
Julia Holoman (mezzo-soprano) is a junior Kenan Music Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill studying with Dr. Jeanne Fischer and pursuing her Bachelor's of Music degree in classical voice performance. During the past semester, Julia studied and performed the role of Nerone in Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea under the direction of Dr. Marc Callahan with UNC's Opera Workshop. Julia will be attending Aspen Music Festival this summer to participate in productions of Mozart's Don Giovanni and Verdi's Falstaff.
Julia Holoman (mezzo-soprano) is a junior Kenan Music Scholar at UNC-Chapel Hill studying with Dr. Jeanne Fischer and pursuing her Bachelor's of Music degree in classical voice performance. During the past semester, Julia studied and performed the role of Nerone in Monteverdi's L'incoronazione di Poppea under the direction of Dr. Marc Callahan with UNC's Opera Workshop. Julia will be attending Aspen Music Festival this summer to participate in productions of Mozart's Don Giovanni and Verdi's Falstaff.
Of Our New Day Begun — Omar Thomas
Of Our New Day Begun (2016). "This piece was written to honor nine beautiful souls who lost their lives to a callous act of hatred and domestic terrorism on the evening of June 17, 2015, while worshipping in their beloved sanctuary, the historic Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina. My greatest challenge in creating this work was walking the line between reverence for the victims and their families, and honoring my strong, bitter feelings towards both the perpetrator and the segments of our society that continue to create people like him. I realized that the most powerful musical expression I could offer incorporated elements from both sides of that line--embracing my pain and anger while being moved by the displays of grace and forgiveness demonstrated by the victims' families." —Omar Thomas
Born to Guyanese parents in Brooklyn, New York, Omar Thomas moved to Boston to pursue a Master of Music in Jazz Composition at the New England Conservatory of Music. While pursuing his degree he was appointed Assistant Professor of Harmony at Berklee College of Music, and subsequently served on the faculty of Music Theory at the Peabody Institute of Music. He is currently Assistant Professor of Composition and Jazz Studies at the University of Texas-Austin. His works have been performed in concert halls the world over and recorded by numerous classical and jazz artists.
Born to Guyanese parents in Brooklyn, New York, Omar Thomas moved to Boston to pursue a Master of Music in Jazz Composition at the New England Conservatory of Music. While pursuing his degree he was appointed Assistant Professor of Harmony at Berklee College of Music, and subsequently served on the faculty of Music Theory at the Peabody Institute of Music. He is currently Assistant Professor of Composition and Jazz Studies at the University of Texas-Austin. His works have been performed in concert halls the world over and recorded by numerous classical and jazz artists.
Seekers Scherzo — Zhou Tian
Seeker's Scherzo (2019). This brisk, 3-minute piece borrows from the classical form while adding new turns and twists, constantly seeking different colors and timbres. It was originally the third movement from Zhou Tian's Concerto for Orchestra; this new version was sre-orchestrated for wind ensemble and is scored lushly and so that almost every instrument is treated soloistically.
Born in 1981, Zhou Tian came of age in a new China marked by economic reforms, and was in the United States by his nineteenth birthday. Trained at the Curtis Institute of Music, the Juilliard School, and the University of Southern California, he studied with some of the America's finest composers. He is currently Associate Professor of Composition at Michigan State University College of Music.
Born in 1981, Zhou Tian came of age in a new China marked by economic reforms, and was in the United States by his nineteenth birthday. Trained at the Curtis Institute of Music, the Juilliard School, and the University of Southern California, he studied with some of the America's finest composers. He is currently Associate Professor of Composition at Michigan State University College of Music.
Symphonic Movement — Vaclav Nelhybel
Symphonic Movement (1966). Dedicated to John Paynter and the Northwestern University Band, which commissioned the piece, Symphonic Movement was immediately popular among bands, as it features an abundance of biting brass, fast-moving woodwinds, and a great dynamic variety. The piece is in the form of an arch, and is based on an eight-tone series of C, Eb, E, A, Bb, Db, Gb, and C. There are five continuous sections: Adagio, Allegro, Poco meno mosso, Allegro, and Adagio. Nelhybel described Symphonic Movement as "my first composition for band written completely on a symphonic level." (note: he went on to composer more than 100 works for combinations of winds, soloists, and ensembles in addition to many orchestral works.)
Vaclav Nelhybel was a Czech-American composer who composed mainly for student performers. Nevertheless he received numerous prizes and awards for his compositions and was awarded four honorary doctoral degrees in music from American universities. He received his early musical training in Prague, then studied at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. He came to the United States in 1957, where he taught at several universities and served as Composer-in-Residence at the University of Scranton until his death.
Vaclav Nelhybel was a Czech-American composer who composed mainly for student performers. Nevertheless he received numerous prizes and awards for his compositions and was awarded four honorary doctoral degrees in music from American universities. He received his early musical training in Prague, then studied at the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. He came to the United States in 1957, where he taught at several universities and served as Composer-in-Residence at the University of Scranton until his death.
Wheels on the Bus — Mike Holober
The Wheels on the Bus (2004). The Gotham Wind Symphony, a professional wind orchestra in New York City, commissioned several contemporary composers including Mike Holober to write pieces for a recording entitled Music for Children. Holober chose the traditional children's song The Wheels on the Bus. In his own words, "When I realized the tune was only nine seconds long I opted for a modified theme and variations form. I included some humor (I hope), especially once the bus is veering wildly and the quotes come 'crashing' in—Beatles, Clifford Brown, An American in Paris, Disney cartoons, etc. n I was flattered to learn that the band was calling the piece The Wheels On the Bus Are Not Quite Round."
Mike Holober is a full Professor at the City College of New York, where he teaches jazz composition and arranging and coordinates the annual CUNY Jazz Festival. He also teaches composing and arranging at The Manhattan School of Music, has taught for the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, and is a frequent artist-in-residence at universities throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Mike Holober is a full Professor at the City College of New York, where he teaches jazz composition and arranging and coordinates the annual CUNY Jazz Festival. He also teaches composing and arranging at The Manhattan School of Music, has taught for the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, and is a frequent artist-in-residence at universities throughout the U.S. and Europe.
Triangle Wind Ensemble Performers
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Flute
Cindy Chastang Merritt Flexman Lauren Robbins-Pollack Rosene Rohrer Piccolo Tammy Schmidt* Clarinet Michael Capps Lecia Cecconi-Roberts* Misti Griffith Luke Knudson Vince Pistritto Nick Siedentop Gail VanMatre Erin Wynia Bass Clarinet Victoria Alston |
Oboe
Virginia Carty Katie Michalak Bassoon Robin Hashey* Alto Saxophone Katherine Lee Aaron Payne* Tenor Saxophone Doug Campbell Baritone Saxophone Lester Turner Trumpet Jim Alexander* Christine Bui Kaitlyn Dehority Carey Forman Kris Gilmore Kathy Silbiger |
Horn
Laura Alexander* Michael Grimes Michael Lewis Eric Smith Ed Walaski Euphonium Connie Varner* James Wagner Buddy West Trombone Garry Grabow Marshall Sweet Bass Trombone Dorey A. Freeman Tuba Chris Dodson Hendry Urbano Lars Holmberg |
Percussion
Ryan Anderson Lisa Forman Bill Hayes* Krista Siachames Timpani Rich Bono Piano Drew Johnson Music Director Evan Feldman Mezzo-Soprano Julia Holoman * denotes Section Leaders |
Special Thanks to Our 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
- Kathy and Alexander Silbiger Fund of Triangle Community Foundation
- Anonymous
- Michael Capps
- Catharine & Jim Carty
- Carey & Lisa Forman
- Lynn Narveson & Roberta Melton
- Kim & Tim Sweet
- Victoria Alston
- Bono Percussion
- Christine Bui
- Lecia Cecconi & Ray Roberts
- Cindy Chastang
- Maureen & James Davis
- Merritt Flexman
- James & Faye Hook
- Frank A. Hoss, Jr.
- Linda & Joel Johnson
- Paul & Judith Kindig
- Holly & Paul Mandelkern
- Cathy & Gerold Mohn
- Ethel Erickson Radmer
- Gail Van Matre
- Connie Varner
- James Wagner
- Bill White
- 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.
