The Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony perform in their final concert
of the semester as they get ready to travel to Washington,
D.C. later this month to present songs from Star Wars.
The group has been raising money all semester to afford this prestigious trip.
The Lion's Roar/Gleana Hill
A combination of passion and anticipation led Southeastern’s musicians as they took the stage of Pottle Auditorium.
The Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony presented Resonant Vistas on Thursday, April 30 for their last concert at the university this semester.
Conductors Glen Hemberger and Paul Frechou led the concert with pieces from Ron Nelson, Howard Hanson, Percy Aldridge Grainger and more. Guest conductors B. J. Perez III and MM graduate conducting associate Rebecca Harris Gambino were also a part of the night’s concert.
The Band and Symphony have one more performance in Washington D.C. later this month at the Concert Hall of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. It will be conducted by Colonel Larry Lang, commander of the United States Air Force Band and feature the Star Wars Trilogy.
Being the last performance on campus for the semester several of the musicians looked forward to this concert, along with the upcoming Washington D.C. trip.
“I was anticipating [playing tonight], I have been looking forward to this concert for a while, and I can’t wait to go to D.C. over the break,” said freshman Joshua Gaudin, tenor saxophone player.
For some, traveling just to play music is not the main goal, but making the audience appreciate the music is the ultimate mission.
“I’m really looking forward to going to D.C. because I like traveling and that’s what I want to do with my profession with music. I want to travel. I want to play music. I want to make people happy. I want to make myself happy by playing music,” said senior music performance major Stephan August, Euphonium player.
Many felt the performance went well and assisted in preparing for the concert in D.C.
“I feel like we were well prepared, the rehearsals were really intense but we put up a really good performance tonight,” said Gaudin. “I have to say that the Symphonic Band did really well tonight, they did amazing. The Wind Symphony is definitely ready to go on this D.C. trip.”
To others the night was not just another performance, it was a way of escape.
“I feel like [tonight’s performance] is a gateway, like playing music is a gateway into a better way of feeling,” said August.
August further expressed that music has a deeper impact on life.
“Music basically dictates how you feel about life,” said August. “So if you listen to harmful music like rock or whatever, you’re going to be depressed. But if you listen to happy music like classical and jazz, it basically dictates your mood.”
Favorite pieces among many to play came from the Star Wars Trilogy by John Williams.
“Star Wars, the third movement, is a lot of fun to play and a lot of fun to listen to,” said sophomore computers science major Nicholas Dolan, Bb Clarinet player.
Not only was the Star Wars Trilogy a favorite, but the third movement in particular, “The Battle in the Forest,” was popular.
“The third movement of Star Wars [is] just really fun. It’s really dramatic, and it’s really intense,” said Gaudin.
Along with Star Wars being a favorite among the musicians, audience members enjoyed the revamping of “After ‘The Thunderer’” from “Symphony on Themes of John Philip Sousa.”
“Personally I heard Star Wars performed previously,” said sophomore communication major Scott Brady. “Hearing it, there were so many different variations, the transitions captured my attention.”
While some players may have had a favorite piece, others felt differently.
“I don’t have a favorite piece, playing music is what I do. It’s what makes me happy,” said August.
For more information about Southeastern’s music department, visit the university website.