NSU’s Dear School of Creative and Performing Arts (CAPA) is dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable experience for all students, faculty and staff. CAPA will not tolerate racism or discrimination and is committed to creating a fair, empathetic, and just environment.
WEDNESDAY,APRIL17,2024|7:30P.M.
DanMcDonaldisAssistantDirectorofBandsandAssistant ProfessorofMusicatNorthwesternStateUniversity.AtNSU, heassistsinthedirectionofthe“SpiritofNorthwestern” MarchingBand,the“PurpleHaze”BasketballBand,Wind Ensemble,MagaleConcertBandandteachescoursesin studentleadership,musiceducationandconducting.
Mr.McDonaldiscurrentlypursuingaDoctorofMusicalArtsdegreein instrumentalconductingattheUniversityofWashingtonwithTimothy Salzman.HeearnedaB.A.inMusic(Saxophone)andaM.M.in InstrumentalConductingfromtheUniversityofConnecticut.
Priortohisgraduatework,hetaughtinAshford,CTandwasDirectorof InstrumentalMusicatTheNorwichFreeAcademyinNorwich,CT.Hehas conductedanddirectedensemblesthathaveperformedatthe2019 WASBEConference(Buñol,Spain),2020CBDNASouthernDivision Conference,BenaroyaHall(Seattle),ChunghwaClarionShanghaiSpring InternationalWindMusicFestival(Shanghai,China),FightHungerBowl (SanFrancisco),AlamoBowl(SanAntonio),Tostito’sFiestaBowl(Phoenix), NCAAMen’sBasketballChampionship(Houston)andoninternationaltour inBeijing,China.HeservesonthenationalAthleticBandsCommitteeand waschairoftheLouisianachapterofCollegeBandDirectorsNational Association.Dan’sprofessionalaffiliationshaveincludedWorldAssociation ofSymphonicBandsandEnsembles,CollegeBandDirectorsNational Association,NationalBandAssociation,NationalAssociationforMusic Education,PhiBetaMu,KappaKappaPsi,TauBetaSigma,PhiMuAlpha Sinfonia,CollegeMusicSociety,andtheNewEnglandMusicFestival Association.
Jessica Breaux, Conductor Program
Satoshi Yagisawa
SatoshiYagisawa(b.1975)isaJapanesecomposerofprimarily windbandmusic.Heoftenusestitlesthatareself-descriptiveand writesinamusicallanguagethatarecouchedindramaticterms. HegraduatedfromtheMusashinoAcademyofMusicwithbothhis undergraduateandmaster’sdegreesintrumpetperformanceand composition.HisworkshavebecomeextremelypopularinJapan, withmanyofhiscommissionsaccompanyingimportant ceremonies,sportingevents,orspecialmomentsinJapan.In2010, YagisawawasappointedtheCeremonialMusicDirectorforthe NationalSportsFestivalinChiba,Japan.Hecurrentlyteaches wind,string,andpercussionatTokyoMusic&MediaArtsandisa memberof“Kyo-en,”anorganizationthatpremieresoutstanding originalworksbyJapanesecomposers.
FanfareHayabusa(2011)isanexampleofYagisawa’seventspecificcommissionedwork.“Hayabusa”isJapanesefor “peregrinefalcon,”andwasthenamegiventotheJapanese AerospaceExplorationAgency’sprobetaskedwithobtaining surfacesamplesfromanear-Earthasteroidnamed25143Itokawa andreturnsafelytoEarth.Theprobewaslaunchedin2003and safelyreturnedsevenyearslater.Thisfanfarewascommissioned tocommemoratethesuccessoftheHayabusamission.The premiereofthispiecewassowellreceivedthattheaudience demandedanotherperformanceofitasanencore.
RobertW.Smith(1958-2023)isarenownedcomposer, arranger,andteacher.Hereceivedamaster’sdegreeinmedia writingandproductionfromtheUniversityofMiami,wherehe studiedwiththefamouscomposerAlfredReed.Smithreturned tohisundergraduatealmamatertobecometheDirectorof BandsatTroyStateUniversityinTroy,Alabamain1997.In2001, heleftTroyStatetotakeafull-timepositionwithWarner BrothersPublications.Thispositionallowedhimtotravelthe world,servingasguestclinicianandconductorformany ensembles.Smithmostrecentlyservedasthecoordinatorfor theMusicIndustryprogramatTroyStateaswellastheVicePresidentofProductDevelopmentfortheC.L.Barnhouse CompanyandWalkingFrogRecords.
Africa:Ceremony,Song,andRitual(1994)isbasedonthefolk musicofWesternAfrica.Inspiredbytheresearchof ethnomusicologistStephenJay,theworkfeaturesmusicfor danceandentertainment,dynamicpercussivework,and historicalsongs.Fromthenotestothescore,Smithstatesthat: “Africanmusiciansfeelthattheybringlifetotheirinstruments justasGodgiveslifetothemusician.Asaresult,individual instrumentsarebelievedtopossessconsciousnessandare treatedwiththesamerespectandreverencegiventoan honoredlivingperson.Thedrum,thefeaturedsectionofthis work,isconsideredasacredobjectaswellasamusical instrument.Itisbelievedtobeendowedwithamysterious
powerthathasbeenincomprehensibletothemany missionariesandearlytravelersontheAfricancontinent.As onelistens,themindexperiencesawiderangeofemotions includingjoy,fear,hope,andgrief.
Oya‘PrimitiveFire’recreatesman'sconquestoffire.Inthe beginningoftime,mandiscoveredthathecouldcreatethe elusivepowerbystrikingtwoflintstogether.Hegatheredhis sticksanddryleavesandkindledthem.Theflamesbegin toriseveryslowly,yetsteadilybuildinghigherandhigherintoa largewrithingbodyofenergyspreadingacrossthehorizon.
Suddenly,itbeginstofade...slowly...losing life...thenthelastsparkascendstotheheavensandleaves theearthindarkness.
TheAncientFolkSongoriginatesfromGhana,situatedinthe tropicalbeltofWestAfrica.Itisalandoflushtropicalbeaches androckylagoons.Thepeacefultranquilityofthisbeautiful countrywasfirstdisturbedbyEuropeansettlersinthe 1500sasGhanabecamethecenterforexportingslavesand gold.Asaresult,theareabecameknownastheGoldCoast.A secondarymelodybasedonthefolksongMarilliweaves throughoutthefinalstatementoftheoriginaltheme. Withthunderandlightningashisweapon,Shango,theGodof Thunder,revisitstheearth.Toheraldhisreturn,hisdevotees chantthisinvocationarypraise.Thebigandsmalldrumsmade ofhollowtreesandtheskinsoframsresoundthroughout thenightascirclesofworshipersdancetoafrenziedstate.The joyousopeningstatementreturnsamidtheprimalpercussion, drawingtheworktoanexhaustingconclusion.”
FLUTE
IzzyPlauché
EmilyMarr(&Piccolo)
MarinaMoorehead
AntoinetteByrd
OBOE
AdrianaZambrano
BASSOON
SophiaNaquin
CLARINET
MakaylaBoudreaux
BrendanRitter
CindyPinkerton
KyleCastilla
BASSCLARINET
KellyCarter
AliPerrilliouox
ALTOSAXOPHONE
JaionWilliams
KalyahRushing
HannahBuckley
JoshuaParks
KeeganPrice
TENORSAXOPHONE
BreannaRaygoza
TalayjaJefferson
BARITONESAXOPHONE
CalebHelms
TRUMPET
MalloryEngland
JuanPadilla
JuanCastilla
MackenzieBrown
ZachCooper
ChanceHartsell
JuanAnguloArrieta
FRENCHHORN
KevinJuarez
EyanRobinson
ClaytonWallace
BaileyThomas
LaurenOyster
TROMBONE
ColbyGrayson
JamesGreer
JosephAdams
TysonRoberson
JeremiahBlaze
EUPHONIUM
HaydenBaldwin
JorgeVargasMartinez
CatherineDavis
WilliamSelf
DaltonWade
HankCastilaw
TUBA
JohnCollier
CraigCrochet
EthanPoole
PERCUSSION
PeytonJohnson
DQBeasley
GarrettMoss
CameronRemrey
AngelMaradiaga
MasonWindham
MasonTrumps
DevinNaqvi
Big City Lights
WEDNESDAY,APRIL17,2024|7:30P.M.
Marie A. Douglas Program
Deep River Benjamin Horne
Alexander Miller, tuba
Daniel Scott, alto saxophone
Collin Skinner, alto saxophone
Jacob Ehrlicher, tenor saxophone
Jarrett Thomisee, baritone saxophone
Jaion Williams, piano
Symphony No. 2 ‘Romantic’
III. Allegro Con Brio
Molly on the Shore
Howard Hanson
arr. McBeth
Percy Aldridge Grainger ed. Rogers
MarieA.Douglas(b.1987)isahornist,educator,arranger,and composerfromAtlanta.Shereceivedherdegreeinhorn performancefromFloridaA&MUniversity.Hermusicalstyleis influencedbyhip-hopcultureandincorporatedavarietyofstyles includingspirituals,bodypercussion,spokenwords,electronic samplesandotherelementssymbolizingtheAfricandiaspora.
ShecurrentlyisworkingonherDMAattheUniversityofMemphis whilealsoservingasanadjunctinstructorofmusictechnologyat SouthernUtahUniversityandDirectorofBandsatTuckerHigh SchoolinTucker,Georgia.
BigCityLights(2020)isinspiredbyahip-hopsub-genre,“trap music,”whichfindsrootsinAtlanta.Themajorsectionsinthe pieceareinspiredbyphrasesandartistsintrapmusic.Thefirst section,“It’sLit!”includefortissimoexclamationsthroughoutthe entireensemble,symbolizingthehustleofAtlantatraffic.These trafficsoundsformatriowiththeclarinetsandmarimba,who togetherperform“hurryupandwait”astheyendurethegridlock. The“IssaVibe”sectionismuchslowerandintendstodepicta nightoutonthetownwithfriends.“It’sLit!”returnsandisfollowed by“ChoppedandScrewed,”ahalftimerecapofthemainthemes muchinthesamewayasportscommentatorcommentsonthe
firsthalfofagame.ThesectionisalsoareferencetoafamousDJ stylewhereasongissloweddowntremendously.Thepiece finisheswithafinalreturnofthe“It’sLit!”section.
BenjaminHorne(b.1995)isanAmericancomposer,arranger,and euphoniumist.HeearnedhisdegreefromIndianaUniversity.He hasworkedasamiddleschoolandhighschoolbanddirectorand isinvolvedheavilywithDrumCorpsInternational asaperformer withtheTealSoundandBluecoatsandasamemberofthebrass stafffortheSacramentoMandarins.Heiscurrentlyworkingonhis windbandconductingdoctorateatMichiganStateUniversity.
DeepRiver(2021)isanadaptationofthefamousspiritualand featuressolosfromvariousinstrumentsactingas“testimonials” beforethesaxophonesectionthematicallycrossesoverand bringstheworktoaliveliermood.
“Deepriver,myheartisoverJordan. Deepriver,Lord,Iwanttocrossoverintocampground.
Oh,don’tyouwanttogotothatGospelfeast?
Thatpromisedland,whereallispeace?”
HowardHanson(1896-1981)wasacomposer,conductor,educator, andchampionofAmericanclassicalmusic.Asthedirectorofthe EastmanSchoolofMusicattheUniversityofRochesterforover40 years,heestablishedoneoftheleadingcollegemusicprograms inthecountryandprovidedopportunitiesforcommissioningand performingmusicbyAmericancomposers.Hereceivedamusic degreefromNorthwesternincomposition,whilealsostudying piano,trombone,andcello.Hismusicalstylecanbedescribedas
partofthe“Neo-Romantic”movement,whichendeavoredto continuethetraditionsoftheRomanticeraintothe20thcentury. Thisemphasisonwarm,lushmelodieswasnotfashionablewith hiscontemporaries,whosemusicalstylestendedtofocuson atonalityandserialism.Itwaspopularwiththepublic,though;at onepointHansonwashailedasthe“deanofAmerican ComposersandspokesmanformusicinAmerica.”
Hanson’sSymphonyNo.2,“Romantic”wascommissionedbythe BostonSymphonyOrchestrabyitsconductor,SergeKoussevitzky, forthe50thAnniversaryofthegroupin1930.Theworkiscreative andcinematic;throughoutthreemovements,motifsare developedtocreateadramatic,cyclicjourney.Itwasimmediately hailedasamasterpieceatthepremiereconcertandtheworkhas becomerecognizedinothercontexts:JohnWilliams“borrowed” theopeningsoundsofthethirdmovementasinspirationforthe flightmusicheardinE.T.:theExtra-Terrestrial,aswellaspartsof theworkbeingusedduringtheclosingcreditsforRidleyScott’s Alien.Thecyclicmelodyisalsousedasthehymnofthe InterlochenCenterfortheArtsinMichigan,whereitisperformed attheconclusionofconcerts.
PercyGrainger(1882-1961)wasanAustralian-borncomposer, arranger,andpianistwhowasknownforhisstrangepersonal habits,hiscolorfulprose,andhisequallyunusualmusic;hisworks varyinquality,butmanypossessthe“supremevirtueonnever beingdull”duetohisinnovativeinstrumentationand compositionaltechniques.Hereceivedhismusiceducationata
Germanconservatory,wherehefosteredfriendshipswithother prominentcomposers,includingEdvardGrieg.Grainger establishedhimselfasaconcertpianistinLondonbeforethefirst WorldWar,playingmostlyarrangementsandoriginalworks basedonfolkmelodies.Duringthewar,hemovedtotheUnited StatesandservedasabandsmanintheUSArmy.Throughhis militaryserviceGraingerappliedforAmericancitizenshipin1918 andremainedacitizenfortherestofhislife.Afterthewarhe becameincreasinglyinvolvedinmusiceducation,althoughhis effortstoeducatetheAustralianpublicinthemid-1930swere receivedwithindifference.Whenhediedin1960,hisreputationas adilettanteandaneccentricinmostpartsoftheworldstifled manyofhisworksfrombecomingpopular.Hislastinginfluence, however,hasbeeninEngland,wherehispioneeringworkwithfolk melodieswaswidelyregarded.HisconnectionwithBritishfolk musiclaststothisday.IntheUnitedStates,Grainger’seducational effortscreatedalegacyinAmericanbandmusic,wheremuchof hismusicemploysinnovativeinstrumentationandscoring techniques.
MollyontheShore(1920)isanarrangementoftwoIrish“reels,”(a traditionalIrishdancethathasScottishorigin),“TempleHill”and “MollyontheShore.”Itwasoriginallycomposedforstrings,but thenGraingeradapteditfororchestra,piano,andwindbandin 1920.Thewindbandarrangementfeaturesthewoodwindsection, especiallytheclarinetsandsaxophones.Inalettertoconductor FrederickFennell,Graingerdescribesthepiece,sayingthat:
“insettingMollyontheShore,Istrovetoimbuethe accompanyingpartsthatmadeuptheharmonic characternottoounlikethatoftheunderlyingreeltune. Melodyseemstometoprovidemusicwithinitiative, wheras{sic}rhythmappearstometoexertanenslaving influence.ForthatreasonIhavetriedtoavoidregular rhythmicdominationinmymusic-alwaysexcepting irregularrhythms,suchasthoseofGregorianChant,which seemtometomakeforfreedom.Equallywithmelody,I prizediscordantharmony,becauseoftheemotionaland compassionateswayitexerts."
PICCOLO
MadelynMurphy
FLUTE
McKenzieRyer
MadelynMurphy
KamiDesidere
LennonCooke
OBOE
ValentinaRestrepo
JoelRamos
YeseniaZapata
ENGLISHHORN
YeseniaZapata
BASSOON
TurnerSugg
VictoriaGomezBorjas
CLARINET
BlakeFontenot
JackBlair
ValerieGalliano
AngelaGonzales
CarterMitchell
MichaelaKleyle
ArmonieHaywood
AliPerrillioux
BASS/CONTRACLARINET
AveryMyers
TimPursell
ALTOSAXOPHONE
DanielScott
CollinSkinner
TENORSAXOPHONE
JacobEhrlicher
BARITONESAXOPHONE
JarrettThomisee
TRUMPET
DillonHumphries
TROMBONE
BrendanDonaghy
TristenDavis
BASSTROMBONE
JorgeBravo-Chavez
RafaelMelgar
EUPHONIUM
AustinHead
DanielColeman
RemiBlanchard
WolfgangAlexanderOtero
BlakeTaggert
LaytonZeringue
HannahHughes
EvelynGardner
MalloryEngland
FRENCHHORN
RichieSalzer
PhillipColeman
MarioAvilez
EmilyKahler
NyanzaFederick
ELECTRONICS
KonnorThibodeaux
TUBA
AlexanderMiller
MadisonPool
STRINGBASS
WilliamShupak
PERCUSSION
MasonWindham
MasonTrumps
KirkYbañez
CalebDaniels
JoshJones
WyattPaulk
PeytonJohnson
PIANO
JaionWilliams
THURSDAY,APRIL18,2024|7:30P.M.
Originally from the Toledo, Ohio area, Dr. Ben Herrick earned his Ph.D. in Music Education at Louisiana State University, his Master of Music Education degree from the University of Cincinnati, CCM and his Bachelor of Music Education degree from the University of Toledo. Ben’s teaching experience includes four years as a university band director, nine years as a middle/high school band director, two years of elementary general music, and many years as a private music instructor of myriad instruments, both virtual and in-person.
Dr. Herrick has also maintained a career as a professional trombonist, performing many genres, (including jazz, classical, band, pit orchestra, and church) specializing in the genre of New Orleans-style jazz. He has performed across the U.S. including New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Toledo, Detroit, Cincinnati, New York, as well as parts of Canada and Europe. Outside of music, Ben spent six years in the U.S. Air Force Ohio National Guard as a structural mechanic for F-16 multirole fighter aircraft.
"BeyondtheHorizon"isadynamiccompositionencompassing majesticbrassfanfaresandsweepingmelodiclines.Thepieceis comprisedoftwothemesthatmusicallypaintapictureofthe Earth'sbreathtakinglybeautifulhorizon.
“Herlifewasheroic,butwithoutfanfare. Sheworkedandhopedandinspired. Shelovedandwasloved. Herlifewasanoblesongofquietcourage.”
Dedicatedtothememoryofhismother,LarryDaehndescribes herasabravewomanwhoraisedherfamilythroughthe hardshipsoffarmlifeinWisconsin.Despitethelossofbothlegs duetodiabetes,shelivedwithnobilityandquietcourage.She lovedtosing.Thesequalitiesareevidentinthiscomposition, whichwaswritteninthesummerof1995followingLoisDaehn’s death.
Theemergenceofragtimecoincidedwiththegreateraofthe concertband.Thesimilaritiesbetweenthemarches,two-steps, cakewalks,andragtimepiecesresultedinaninterminglingof theseforms.KarlKingprobablywrote“TheWalkingFrog”during 1917/1918whilehewasthedirectoroftheBarnum&Bailey’s CircusBand,butitwasnotpublisheduntil1919afterhehadleft thecircus.Heoriginallywrotethepieceasacircusclown‘walk about’butit’sinfectiouscharmsoonmadeifafavoritewith manyothercircusacts.
Themusicisbasedonaseriesofchordprogressionscommon tocountlessgenerationsofSpanishflamenco(andother) guitarists,whosefierystyleandbrilliantplayinghavecaptivated millionsofmusicloversthroughouttheworld.These progressionsandtheresultingkeyrelationshipshavebecome practicallysynonymouswithwhatwefeeltobethetrueSpanish idiom.Togetherwiththefolkmelodiestheyhaveunderscored,in partderivedbyaprocedureknowntomusiciansasthe "melodizingofharmony,"theyhavecreatedavastbodyofwhat mostpeoplewouldconsiderauthenticSpanishmusic.Thefirst sectionofthemusicisbaseduponthedanceformknownas theJota,whilethesecond,contrastingsectionisderivedfrom theFandango,butherealteredconsiderablyinbothtimeand tempofromitsusualform.Overall,themusicfollowsatradition three-partpattern:fast-slow-fast.
Composedin1986,ElCaminoRealisatruestandardwhich RobertLongfieldhasmasterfullyadaptedthisgemtobe accessibleforlimitedensembles.Atrulyrewardingand distinctivework!
EliMcFadden
TENORSAXOPHONE
AdrianaChajHernandez
PaulaFontenot
NiklausJordan
AlanaLockhart
BASSOON
*AudieHauptman
CLARINET
RamiyahRounds
VivianPowell
DinaMcCabe
ArianaLee
ElizabethBoudoin
LaciCruz
ALTOSAXOPHONE
JoshuaBouriaque
DylanJillson
TimPursell
JustinDysarz
DrakePooler
TROMBONE
MarcusJenkins
BARITONESAXOPHONE
SebastianOviedo-Osorio
ChloeDettrey
TRUMPET
PiperDearing
JettPerson
AlyssaToney
DannyChristian
JeannetteBetancourt
BradenReeve
MaxBlundell
RexCooper
MeredithWeathers
FRENCHHORN
RyanVillareal
GravielaChavez
BiancaJuarez
MaizyWaits
CatherineNorris
SterlingPlayer
TylerTrahan
LanieMarceaux
ZayneHarstell
EUPHONIUM
ReonBell
MatthewFussell
SolonBurris
BereniceJuarez
DylanDunn-Peacock
ChristopherAcker
TUBA
GarrettCarrell
MadisonPool
BraydenLaffitte
DylanGuillory
PERCUSSION
DevinNaqvi
AlyMarmaduke
CaedmonLarson
MaddieHorton
THURSDAY,APRIL18,2024|7:30P.M.
Anthony Pursell is Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Northwestern State University, where he directs the Wind Symphony and Chamber Winds, teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting, and oversees all aspects of the band program, including the renowned Spirit of Northwestern marching band. He holds a Doctor of Arts degree in Instrumental Conducting and Music Education from Ball State University (2005), and a Master (2001) and Bachelor (1996) of Music Education degrees from Loyola University, New Orleans. His professional affiliations include the College Band Directors National Association, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and Phi Beta Mu. He holds honorary memberships in Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. In 2012 he was named contributing editor for The Instrumentalist Magazine and was appointed in 2018 as the director for the massed band for the Military Bowl in Washington, D.C.
Piano Concerto in a minor, Op. 16
David Berrocal, Piano
Edvard Grieg
Yorkshire Ballad
James Barnes
The Thunderer
Jessica Breaux, Conductor
John Philip Sousa
Konnor Thibodeaux, Conductor
Symphony
II. After the Thunderer
Just Flyin’
Ira Hearshen
Julie Giroux
Opus16isamongGrieg'searliestimportantworkswrittenbythe 24-year-oldcomposerin1868whileinDenmark,duringoneof hisvisitstobenefitfromtheclimate.
TheconcertoisoftencomparedtothePianoConcertoofRobert Schumann:itisinthesamekey;theopeningdescending flourishonthepianoissimilar;theoverallstyleisconsideredto beclosertoSchumannthananyothersinglecomposer.
Incidentally,bothcomposerswroteonlyoneconcertoforpiano. GrieghadheardSchumann'sconcertoplayedbySchumann’s wife,Clara,inLeipzigin1858,andwasgreatlyinfluencedbyher style.
Grieg'sconcertoprovidesevidenceofhisinterestinNorwegian folkmusic;theopeningflourishisbasedonthemotifofafalling minorsecondfollowedbyafallingmajorthird,typicalofthefolk musicofGrieg'snativecountry.Thisspecificmotifoccursin otherworksbyGrieg,includingtheStringQuartetNo.1.Inthe lastmovementoftheconcerto,similaritiestothehalling(a Norwegianfolkdance)andimitationsoftheHardangerfiddle (theNorwegianfolkfiddle)havebeendetected.
TheworkwaspremieredbyEdmundNeuperton3April1869,in Copenhagen,withHolgerSimonPaulliconducting.Some sourcessaythatGrieghimself,anexcellentpianist,wasthe intendedsoloist,buthewasunabletoattendthepremiere owingtocommitmentswithanorchestrainOslo.Amongthose
whoattendedthepremiereweretheDanishcomposerNiels GadeandtheRussianpianistAntonRubinstein,whoprovided hispianofortheoccasion.Neupertwasalsothededicateeof thesecondeditionoftheconcerto(RikardNordraakwasthe originaldedicatee),andJamesHunekerclaimscomposedthe firstmovementcadenza.
DavidJ.Berrocal-BarriosisaSenioryearpianistat NorthwesternStateUniversityinNatchitoches, Louisiana.Hewasbornandspenthischildhoodin Colombia(CartagenadeIndias)wherehebegan playingpianoattheageof11.MaestroFabioGomez
servedashispianoprofessorinhighschool.Underhisguidance, Davidachieved,attheageof16,ascholarshiptoNSUwherehe pursuesamajorinMusicPerformanceunderthetutelageofDr. FrancisYang.DuringDavid’sworkatNSU,hehashadthe privilegetoparticipatewiththeWindSymphony,theWind Ensemble,theNSUJazzOrchestra,andtheNSUMen’sChoiras wellascollaboratingwithstudentsinmultiplerecitalswhile competingagainstotherartistsintheMusicTeachersNational AssociationYoungArtistCompetition.Inthepastsemesters, Davidwasfeaturedinthe2023HonorsRecitalrepresentingthe pianoareawhilealsoreceivingfirstplaceintheNSUSymphony OrchestraConcertoCompetitionandisaGoldMedalistinthe 2023BachFestival,SeattleInternationalPianoFestival.David continuestoacceptongoingchallengesthatimproveandgrow hismasteryofpianoperformance.
Composedinthesummerof1984,JamesBarnes’sYorkshire BalladwaspremieredattheKansasBandmastersAssociation conventioninHuthcinson,Kansas,bythelateClaudeT.Smith, whowasservingastheguestconductorfortheKansas IntercollegiateBand.Sinceitspublicationin1985,Yorkshire Balladhasbecomeoneofthecomposer’smostpopularworks.
Thecomposerwritesthat“overtheyears,manyconductorsand teachershavecalledmetoaskaboutthework,andwhetherthe tuneitselfisafolksong.YorkshireBalladisnotafolksong,butit iswritteninthatstyle.Icomposedthislittlepiecesothat youngerplayerswouldhavetheopportunitytoplayapiecethat ismoreorlessinthestyleofPercyGrainger’sIrishTunefrom CountyDerry.EvenGrainger’seasierworksaretoodifficultfor mostyoungmusicians,soIthoughtIwouldwriteapiecethat mightemotesomeofthefeelingsandcolorsofGrainger’s wonderfulmusic,but,atthesametime,wastechnicallymuch moreaccessibletotheyoungerplayer.”
“PeoplealwaysaskmewhatIwastryingtoportraywhenIwrote YorkshireBallad.AllIcansayisthatIwasthinkingofthe beautiful,greenYorkshireDalesofnorthernEngland;therolling hillsandtheendlessstretchofbeautifulpasturelandsthatmy wifeandIlovedsomuchwhen,ayearbefore,wehaddriven throughthismostmarvelousspotintheworld.”
Jessica Breaux is a graduate student from Slidell, Louisiana studying music education at Northwestern State University. She received her undergraduate degree in music education from Louisiana State University. While at LSU, Jessica was a member of the LSU Wind Ensemble and served as clarinet section leader in the marching band. While completing her undergraduate degree, Jessica taught clarinet lessons and spent her summers teaching high school band camps. Jessica completed her student teaching at Dutchtown High School. After graduating from LSU, Jessica was the assistant band director at Slidell High School.
OtherthanthefactthatSousa’s“thunderer”wasundoubtedlya Mason,hisidentitymayneverberevealed.“TheThunderer” marchwasdedicatedtoColumbiaCommanderyNo.2,Knights Templar,ofWashington,D.C.,anditwascomposedonthe occasionoftheTwenty-fourthTriennialConclaveoftheGrand Encampment.TheconclavewasheldinOctober1889andwas sponsoredbyColumbiaCommanderyNo.2.Sousahadbeen “knighted”inthatorganizationthreeyearsearlier.“The Thunderer”wasMrs.JohnPhilipSousa’sfavoritemarch.Thiswas
revealedbytheirdaughterHelen,whoalsosurmisedthatthe “thunderer”mighthavebeenherfather’ssalutetotheLondon Times,whichwasknownas“thethunderer.”Ithassincebeen determinedthatSousaprobablyhadnoassociationwiththe newspaperatthattime,however.The“thunderer”mighthave beenoneofthemeninchargeofmakingarrangementsforthe 1889conclave–inparticular,MyronM.Parker,whoworked tirelesslytomaketheeventthespectacularsuccessthatitwas.
Konnor Thibodeaux is a Senior Instrumental Music Education Major and trumpet player at Northwestern State University. He is a member of the Wind Symphony, Trumpet Studio, and Principal Trumpet of The Natchitoches-Northwestern Symphony Orchestra. He currentlyworksasanofficeworkerforthebandprogram,heis anundergraduateteachingassistantfortheConducting2class andistherecipientofthe2024inauguralSpiritofNorthwestern RingofHonoraward.
StirredandfascinatedbythemusicofJohnPhilipSousasince childhood,Istillgetachilluponhearingthepiccoloobligatoin thetrioofTheStarsandStripesForever.Whilethethoughtof transformingpopularmarchmusicintoalegitimatepiecefor theconcertstagehadintellectualappeal,Ifiguredthatany attemptImadetopayhomagetoSousawouldbe misunderstood.ButartisticchallengewonoutandIstarted workingonwhatwastobecomethesecondmovementofthe symphonyinthewinterof1990-1991.
Ibeganthispiecebytakingthe"trio"themeofthemarchThe Thunderer,slowingitdowntoatempoof48beatsperminute andcastingitinthestyleoftheFinaleofMahler'sThird Symphony.Fromtheaudiencereactiontothefirstperformance of(after)TheThunderer,IknewIwasinvolvedwithsomething unusualintherealmofbandmusic.Theweightofthepieceand itseight-minutetimeperformancemeantthattheideaofa lightconcertsuiteoffourtosixmovementsasoriginally commissionedwasoutofthequestion.ItwasatthistimeI realizedthatIhadthebeginningofafull-scalesymphonyin bothlengthanddepth.
TaraWindshaslongbeenafavoritebandofmine.Whenasked tocomposeapieceforthemfortheirMidwestInternational Band&OrchestraClinicperformance,Iwasexcitedtodoso. Thatis,IwasexcitedaboutituntilIhadthe,"Whatdoyouwant thepiecetobe"discussionwithitsconductor,AndreaDeRenzis Strauss.Musicisdifficulttoputintowords.ForyearsIhavehad difficultyexplainingandaskingaboutparticularswhendealing withothercomposers,directors,producers,filmmakers,and banddirectors
Now,anybodywhoknowsAndreawillunderstandexactlywhatI amsayingwhenIsayshetoldmepreciselywhatthepiecewas supposedtobe;beginning,ending,andeverythinginbetween. Notjusttechnicallybut,musicallyaswell.Thelistwaslongand detailedandwhenIhungupthephoneafterourconversationI toldmyself,Ihavenoideawhatonearththisisgoingtosound likebutsheseemsconfidentsowhattheheck,let'sgetthis done! Fast-check.Loadsofwoodwindrunswithparticularattention totheBbclarinetsection-check.Lotsofdynamics-check.An endingwithmadnessoverthetopofachoralesetting-check. Oh,anditshouldstartlikeArmageddon-check.Dowhatever youwantinthemiddlethat'snice-check.Andthat'sallfolks. Enjoythewildrideandpayparticularattentiontotheclarinet sectionbecausetheirfingerswillbejustflyin'!
LennonCooke
WillieGosey
CeciliaLinares
*HallieWard
OBOE
AllisonFlores
*MollyLaird
EmilyTisher
BASSOON
*KristoffHairr
AlexisHernandez
TurnerSugg
CLARINET
JessicaBreaux
*RikkiLandry
EnderLora
LuisDeZubiria
MaddiePrattini
SantiagoSanchez
HopeSmith
BASS/CONTRACLARINET
AliPerrillioux
NoheliaRamos
SAXOPHONE
JosueBustillo
*CullenGoscienski
RiverJekel-Chavez
ColinStevens
RonaldTurizo
TRUMPET
EverGaleas
*JoshMonaghan
TedScott
SadocSilva
JackStanley
KonnorThibodeaux
FRENCHHORN
*DouglasFlores
JelssonFlores
CarleyJohnson
AngieMejia
LukeNiedens
TROMBONE
JorgeBravo
EvanBryant
*JessicaDuBose
MichaelKing
FranciscoRiego
EUPHONIUM
JosephDuBoice
*EmilyMurphy
TUBA
BarrettHodgson
*PattieMurr
STRINGBASS
JonathanChaparro
RafaelMelgar
PIANO
DavidBerrocal
PERCUSSION
*MiguelBustillo
CalebDaniels
MarsHeard
CovieLatham
HarmonyMarsh
JackOverby
KlaireThomas
*principal
SUNDAY,APRIL21|2:00P.M.
DR.BENHERRICK,CONDUCTOR
Fanfare for the Third Planet
Beyond the Horizon
El Camino Real
Richard Saucedo
Rossano Gallante
Alfred Reed arr. Longfield
MR.DANMCDONALD,CONDUCTOR
Fanfare: Hayabusa Satoshi Yagisawa
Jessica Breaux, Conductor
Africa: Ceremony, Song, and Ritual
Robert W. Smith
SUNDAY,APRIL21|2:00P.M.
MR.DANMCDONALD,CONDUCTOR
Deep River
Molly on the Shore
Benjamin Horne
Percy Aldridge Grainger ed. Rogers
Il Convegno
DR.ANTHONYPURSELL,CONDUCTOR
Amilcare Ponchielli
Dr. Malena McLaren & David Steele, clarinet
Birds of Paradise
Run to the Light
Dr. Paul Forsyth, saxophone
James Syler
Ivan Trevino
Dr. Oliver Molina & Miguel Bustillo, percussion
The Thunderer
John Philip Sousa
IlConvegno(TheConference)istheonlypiecethatPonchielli recycledintothreedifferentperformancemediums.Composed fortwoclarinetsandpianobefore1857,itwaspublishedbythe firmofF.Lucca.FredOrmand,ProfessorEmeritusofClarinetat theUniversityofMichigan,preparedawindbandversionofIl Convegnobasedonanearliersymphonyorchestralversion.
Ponchielligainedmuchexperienceasthebandmaster (capobanda)inPiacenzaandCremona,arrangingand composingover200worksforwindband.Notableamonghis originalcompositionsarethefirst-everconcertoforeuphonium (ConcertoperFlicornobasso,1872),fifteenvariationsonthe NeapolitansongCarnevalediVenezia,andaseriesoffestive andfuneralmarchesthatresoundwiththeprideofthenewly unifiedItaly.TheballetLeDueGemelle(1873)confirmed Ponchielli’ssuccess.
Ponchielliwasverypopularandinfluentialinhistimefor introducingalargerorchestraandmorecomplexorchestration. TodayheismostfamousforhisDanceoftheHours,knownto everyonefromitsuseinWaltDisney'sFantasia(1940),Allan Sherman'snoveltysongHelloMuddah,HelloFadduh,andother popularworks.
MalenaMcLarenistheProfessorof ClarinetatNorthwesternState UniversityofLouisiana.Sheearneda BachelorofMusicEducationanda Master’sdegreeinClarinetPerformance fromtheUniversityofNewMexico,and aDoctorofMusicArtsdegreefromthe
UniversityofNorthTexas.HerteachersincludeKeithLemmons andDr.JamesGillespie.Malenahasperformedchamberand solorepertoirethroughouttheUS,Slovakia,theCzechRepublic, England,Spain,andBelgium.Sheisacorememberofthe RapidesSymphonyOrchestraandplaysregularlywithother regionalorchestras.Malena’sscholarlyworksincludetwo articlesinTheClarinet.Shehasperformedinsolorecitalsatthe InternationalClarinetFest®conferences.In2011shereceivedthe MagaleEndowedProfessorshiptoperformandconductarchival researchinMadrid,Spain.SheservedasCoordinatoroftheICA ResearchPresentationCompetitionfrom2014-2016and currentlyservesastheLouisianaICAStateChair.Malenawas invitedtoperformalecturerecitalatthe2015ClarinetFest®in Madrid,Spainandperformatthe2018ICAClarinetFest®in Belgium.Mostrecently,Malenagavealecturepresentationat the2021ICAClarinetFest®, presentedatthe2022 ClareidoscopeVirtualFestival,andguestlecturedatUC Riverside.Malenagivesrecitalsandpresentations/lectures regularlyandenjoyscollaboratingwithcolleaguesand students.
DavidSteele,anativeofDallas,Texas,has beenpartofthemusicfacultyat
NorthwesternStateUniversitysinceAugust 2012whereheteachesclarinet,woodwind methods,musictheory,finearts,chamber music,andisadirectoroftheDemonHeat
Colorguard.HecurrentlyservesasaFacultySenatorandasthe FacultyRectorofNorthwesternStateUniversity'sResidential CollegeoftheArts,VarnadoHall.Heisafoundingmemberof thechamberensemble,KisatchieSound,andtheVernonParish Winterguard.HehasstudiedatNorthwesternStateUniversity, theUniversityofNewMexico,andtheUniversityofNorthTexas. HisprimaryteachersincludeDr.MalenaMcLarenandMr.Keith Lemmons.
Davidhasperformedwithseveralprofessionalgroupssuchas theCarrefourCollaborativeMusicProject,KisatchieSound,New MexicoPhilharmonicOrchestra,RoswellSymphonyOrchestra, ShreveportSymphonyOrchestra,TexarkanaSymphony Orchestra,andtheSouthArkansasSymphonyOrchestra.Hehas alsoperformedasamusician,colorguardperformer,andvisual artistattheAlleyTheaterinHouston,Texas,andhasservedasa woodwindspecialist,visual/designtechnician,and administratoratLongLakeCampoftheArtsinNewYork.
Asarecordingartist,Davidhasrecordedworkswithrenown brassplayersJoeAlessi,SamPilafian,andJ.D.Shaw.
Additionally,hehasrecordedseveralsoloandchamberworks withcontemporarycomposer,EveBeglarian,andthechamber ensemble,KisatchieSound.David’splayingisfeaturedinthe soundtrackofthedocumentaryfilm,SacredasFolk.Hisplaying anddesignconceptsarealsofeaturedinthemultimediastage production,LIGHTENUP.
Jazzhasproventobeagreatmetaphorforfreedom.Birdsof Paradiseisaconcertoforaltosaxophoneandtheculmination ofmytrilogy:CongoSquare,Storyville,andMinton'sPlayhouse. Theseworks,composedoveranearly30-yearspanfrom1994 (Minton'sPlayhouse)tothisworkin2023,aretiedtogetherby theirsearchforfreedomthroughtheseminalmovementsin jazz.Thepre-jazzsoundsinCongoSquare,theearlyjazzin Storyville,thebebopinMinton'sPlayhouse,andnowthepostbopsoundsinBirdsofParadiseareallmetaphorically searchingtobeuncagedandfreetofly.
Inadditiontobeingatypeofplant,BirdsofParadisearealsoa speciesofbirdsfoundinIndonesiaandtheislandofNew Guinea.Knownfortheirbeautifulplumage,birdcalls,andrarity, they'reanaptmetaphorfortheraremusicianswhoappeared afterbebopandmovedjazzintonewdirections.Thisworklooks tothepost-bopsoundsofJohnColtrane,modaljazz,andfree jazz.
Afteramysteriousbeginningandthesoundsofbirdcalls,the firstmovementlaunchesintofastsaxlinesreminiscentofJohn ColtraneandChickCoreaoverpunchybrasschordsand drivingbasslines.Theseweretruly"rarebirds"asthetitle suggests.Thesecondmovementrepeatstheopening mysterioussounds,thenmovesintoadarkdirgefeaturingsad lyricallines.Therearemomentsofhope,buttheenergy developsintorage.Itunwindsintothedarklowbrassandfades away.Thesesoundsreflectthesadness,frustration,andrage frombeinglimitedlikea"cagedbird."Thethirdmovement beginscontemplativelywiththesolosaxandascendsinto lyricallinesbetweenthesoloistandwoodwinds.Asthemusic risesthroughtheensemble,thesoloistfadesaway.Themusic descendsandthesoloistplayssoftfastbeboplinesfromits pastthatfadeintothenightlikeaghostinthejungle,butnow fullyfreetofly.
SincerethankstoDr.WilliamHochkeppel,directorofbandsand professorofsaxophoneattheUniversityofLouisianaat Lafayette,forhistechnicalassistanceonmymanysaxophone questionsandtheconsortiumof11universities,includingthe SchafferLibraryFundatNorthwesternStateUniversity.Thiswork wascompletedonSeptember23,2023,whichcoincidentallyis JohnColtrane'sbirthday.
Equallyadeptatboththeclassicalandjazz repertoire,saxophonistDr.PaulJ.Forsythhas performedandtaughtatnumerousconcert halls,universities,andconferencesaroundthe world.Dr.Forsythhasbeenfeaturedasa
soloistandchambermusicianatNorthAmericanSaxophone Alliance(NASA)Conferences,WorldSaxophoneCongresses, JohnDonaldRobbComposerSymposiums,andInternational SaxophoneSymposiums.Alsohehasbeeninstrumentalin commissioningnumerousnewworksforsolosaxophone, saxophonequartet,andsaxophone/oboeduo.Asachamber musician,PaulForsythisamemberoftworenowned ensembles,theThreeReedsDuoandtheIridiumQuartet.Each ensemblehasmultiplerecordings,themostrecentalbums beingMetamorphosisandSkylinesrespectively.Asatop-call saxophonistinnorthernLouisiana,hehasperformedwithsuch performersasRegisPhilbin,LewSoloff,theTemptations,and BobbyVinton,aswellasleadinghisownjazzensemble,the ForsythJazzCollective,whichconsistsofacollectionof professionalandstudentjazzmusicians.From2017-2018,Paul ForsythservedastheNASACompetitionCommitteeChairman andmostrecentlyin2024helpedco-hostthe3rdever InternationalDuoSymposium.
PaulForsythjoinedthefacultyofNorthwesternStateUniversity inthefallof2007andcurrentlyservesasProfessorof Saxophone.Inthepast,hehasbeenonthefacultiesofAlbion College,SpringArborUniversity,andBlueLakeFineArtsCamp. Hereceivedhisdoctoralandmaster’sdegreesinsaxophone performancefromMichiganStateUniversityandhisbachelor’s degreeinmusiceducationfromtheUniversityofTennessee.His primaryprofessorsincludeJosephLulloff,DiegoRivera,Ron Blake,andMarkTucker.Dr.ForsythisaYamahaPerforming Artist.
Anewlyhiredbanddirectoratmyhighschoolhadadiploma hangingupinhisoffice.
“What’sthat?”Iasked.
“It’sfromEastman,”hesaid.
“What’sEastman?”Iaskedagain.
“It’samusicconservatory,”hesaid.
Ilefthisofficethinkingtomyself,“What’samusic conservatory?”
Thatwasmyjunioryearofhighschool,andthat’showforeign thiswholeclassicalmusicthingwastome.Fastforwardone yearlater.IauditionedatEastmanandgotin.Thiswasduein largeparttothisteacher,hisguidance,andmyownluckthat hetookajobteachingmusicinsmalltownVictoria,Texas, whereIlived.Thankyouagain,Mr.Mikula.
WhenItoldmymomIgotaccepted,shedidn’tcongratulate me.Well,ofcourseshedid,butnotrightaway.Thefirstthing shesaidwas,“Howarewegoingtopayforit?”Myparentsdidn’t gotocollege,butarehard-working,smartpeoplewhostill maketheirlivingcuttinghair.Theydideverythingtheycouldto makemusicpartofmylife.Payingforcollege,though, especiallyataschoollikeEastman,wasfarbeyondanything theyhadsavedorplannedfor.Myparentsputtogether whateverfundstheycouldanddidwhateveryonedoesinTexas duringatimeofneed:theyorganizedaBBQbenefit.It’saGoFundMeofsorts,butanin-persononewithBBQ,beans,riceand allthefixings.
Oneofmydad’sregularswasawriterforthelocalpaperand wroteacharmingstoryaboutmyparents,myopportunityto attendEastman,andabouttheupcomingBBQbenefit.Local restaurantsdonatedfood,andmyparentsandanassembly lineofvolunteersservedplatestofriends,familyandmembers ofourcommunitywhoshoweduptogivetheirsupportand enjoyahotmeal.Therewasevenanauctionwithoneofthose fast-talkingauctioneershelpingthecrowdbidondonated items. Myparentshostedthisbenefitforfoursummers,andeachtime, theyraised$10,000formycollegetuition,withover1,000people attendingeachyear.Thisisstillincomprehensibletome. Meanwhile,Eastmanprovidedmewithagenerousyearly
scholarshiptoeasethecostoftuition,whichhelpedgreatly.My journeytoEastmanwaslookingmoreandmorepossible, thanksinparttothisscholarship,andofallthings,BBQ.Butwe stillweren’tquitethere.
Oneday,MaryLouUrban,anunassumingfamilyfriendofours, walkedintothebarbershoptoseemymomforherregularly scheduledperm.Thistime,Mrs.Urbancameinholdingasmall envelopewithmymom’snameonit.Insidewasagift:a personalcheckfor$10,000.Mymomcried,Mrs.Urbancried.But that’snotall.Eachsummerforfouryears,shegavemymoma checkforthissameamount.Mrs.Urbanisnolongerwithus,but whatshedidformeandmyfamilyisunforgettable.Mymom referstoherasmyangel.Idotoo.Betweenthecommunity’s support,Eastman’sscholarship,Mrs.Urban’sgifts,andmy parent’sownhardworkandsacrifice,IgottoEastman.
Twentyyearslater,IfindmyselfatEastmanagain,thistimeasa visitingteachertostepinfortheoneandonlyMichaelBurritt, myformerEastmanprofessorwhoisonasabbaticalleave. Whatanhonor.Ireturnwithmybeautifulwife,Amanda,whoI metonGibbsSt.whenwewerebothstudents.Thismusicis dedicatedtoallofthesupportersinmyhometowncommunity, Mr.Mikula,Mrs.Urban,myparents,andallofthepeoplewho helpedmeruntomylight.Icarrythemwithme,inmyteaching, composingandperforming,andIhopethisspiritofjoyand gratitudeshinesthroughinthismusic.
Dr.OliverMolinaisanAssociateProfessorofMusic andAssistantDirectorofBandsatNorthwestern StateUniversityofLouisiana.Asanactive percussionperformer,educator,arranger, adjudicator,andclinician,Dr.Molinahaspresented andperformedatvariousstateDayofPercussion events,PASIC,NCPP,andothermusicconferencesandfestivals. HeearnedhisDoctorofMusicalArtsdegreeinPercussion PerformanceandPedagogyattheUniversityofIowaunderDr. DanMoore.Additionally,heisafoundingmemberoftheOmojo PercussionDuoandtheNinkasiPercussionGroup.Dr.Molina currentlyservesasChairforPASEducationCommitteeandas VicePresidentoftheLouisianaPASChapter.HeisaYamaha PerformingArtistandaneducationendorserofVicFirthSticks andMallets,RemoDrumHeads,SabianCymbals,andBlack SwampPercussion.Hisprofessionalaffiliationsincludethe PercussiveArtsSociety,NationalAssociationforMusic Education,NationalSocietyforSteelBandEducators,andthe CollegeMusicSociety.
Miguel Bustillo - Percussion
MiguelBustilloiscurrentlyagraduate studentatNorthwesternStateUniversityof Louisiana.HeisamemberoftheNSU Percussionensembleandstudiespercussion underthedirectionofDr.OliverMolina.Asan assistant,Miguelhelpsoutwithcoursessuch
as:appliedlessons,NSUSteelPanEnsemble,NSUjazz orchestra,NatchitochesSymphonyOrchestra,andNSUWind Symphony.
MiguelBustilloearnedabachelor'sdegreeinPercussion PerformanceatEscueladeMúsicaVictorianoLopezin2015and abachelor'sdegreeinPercussionPerformanceatNorthwestern StateUniversityofLouisianain2021.Heiscurrentlyina master'sdegreeprogramatNSUwithaconcentrationinMusic Performance.
Asanactiveperformer,Miguelhasperformedwithnumerous ensemblesandasasoloist.Amongtheseperformancesare DayofPercussionEvents,PercussionEnsembleconcerts,YOA MusicCamps,WorldAssociationforSymphonyBandsand Ensembles(WASBE),RapidesSymphonyorchestraand ShreveportSymphonyOrchestraconcerts.
