2022 USF Wind Ensemble Program

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA School of Music

WIND ENSEMBLE Matthew McCutchen, Director

FLORIDA MUSIC EDUCATORS ASSOCIATION | 2022 Professional Development Conference | Tampa Convention Center

From the Director The USF School of Music is excited to share our Wind Ensemble with the 2022 FMEA Conference! This ensemble is comprised of students who are outstanding musicians and wonderful human beings. It has been such a treat this academic year to have these students back on campus with us in meaningful face-to-face experiences. Even with COVID still hanging over our heads, the music faculty have been inspired by the optimism and energy our students have brought with them back to campus!

You are sure to enjoy the program our Wind Ensemble will be sharing. It will feature compositions

by Brian Balmages, Jodie Blackshaw, George Gershwin, Baljinder Sekhon II, and Frank Ticheli.

Matthew McCutchen, Director of Bands and Director of the Wind Ensemble, has been at USF now for thirteen years. The level of musicianship and leadership he brings to the entire School, and especially to the Wind Ensemble, is impossible to measure. The School of Music at USF is a very special place in large part because of his work.

This Wind Ensemble concert, as part of the FMEA Conference, will also feature several of our other outstanding faculty. Calvin Falwell, Clarinet, and Katherine Weintraub-Pearce, Saxophone, will be featured soloists on the program, and William Wiedrich, Director of Orchestras, Marc Sosnowchik, Associate Director of Bands, and Tina DiMeglio, Assistant Director of Bands, will be sharing conducting duties.

Please savor every experience at this year’s Conference and enjoy the music making from the USF students and faculty!

David A. Williams Interim Director

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA

WIND ENSEMBLE Matthew McCutchen, Director Tampa Convention Center, Ballroom A January 13, 2022 // 8:30pm Symphony No. 1, Mvt. 1 “The Blessing of Light” .................................................. Jodie Blackshaw (b. 1971) Tina DiMeglio, Conductor Concerto for Clarinet and Winds, Mvt. 3 “Riffs for Lenny” .................................... Frank Ticheli

(b. 1958) Calvin Falwell, Clarinet Soloist William Wiedrich, Conductor Baljinder Sekhon/ STARS ..................................................................................................................

Marc Sosnowchik

(b. 1980) Marc Sosnowchik, Conductor

A Gershwin Fantasy ............................................................................................... George Gershwin/

Ralph Martino

(1898 – 1937) Katherine Weintraub-Pearce, Saxophone Soloist Love and Light ....................................................................................................... Brian Balmages (b. 1975)

Program

Program notes

JODIE BLACKSHAW is an Australian composer, conductor, and educator. She is a free spirit, an experienced ensemble director, a classroom music teacher, and an Orff-Schulwerk practitioner. The nexus of these features has created what she calls ‘Classtrumental Music’. As the name suggests, Classtrumental Music is the fusion of classroom and instrumental music. Put simply, students learn about a piece of instrumental music in an active, creative classroom setting without their instrument before they prepare and perform it with an ensemble.

The Blessing of Light is the first movement of Blackshaw’s Symphony No. 1, which was inspired by four prayers published by Australian poet and political commentator Michael Leunig in his book “When I Talk To You”. The prayers are an allegory for life’s challenges and explore our journey from light, through darkness, to faith. The prayer explored in The Blessing of Light is: We welcome Summer and the glorious blessing of light.

We are rich with light; we are loved by the sun.

Let us empty our hearts into the brilliance. Let us pour darkness into the glorious, forgiving light.

For this loving abundance let us give thanks and offer our joy. Amen.

FRANK TICHELI is well known for his works for concert band, many of which have become standards in the repertoire. In addition to composing he has appeared as guest conductor of his music at Carnegie Hall, at many American universities and music festivals, and in cities throughout the world. Ticheli joined the faculty of the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music in 1991, where he is Professor of Composition.

Ticheli writes, “I had been hoping to compose a Clarinet Concerto for years and was delighted when a commission offer came my way from Swedish-American clarinetist Hakan Rosengren. His fiery virtuosity, combined with his poignantly beautiful sound, had a direct influence on my creative decisions throughout the work. The concerto's three movements are composed as tributes to three 20th-century American icons: George Gershwin, Aaron Lenny I imagined Bernstein Copland, and Leonard Bernstein. While composing the final movement, Riffs for Lenny, perched on a pulpit (a podium?), passionately preaching about Music as a powerful and necessary force for humanity. In a sense, I pay tribute to his lifelong enthusiasm, unleashed through his conducting, composing, performing, teaching, and in countless other ways. Riffs for Lenny is somewhat jazzy, but now in a more, sultry, gospel-like manner. It swoons, sighs, seduces, and then suddenly takes off in double-time, dancing all the way.”

BALJINDER SEKHON’S music has been presented in over 500 concerts in twenty-six countries. From works for large ensemble to solo works to electronic music, his music demonstrates a wide range of genres and styles. Thirteen commercial recordings of his work have been released, with his most recognized output being his contributions to the percussion and saxophone genres. Sekhon currently serves as Assistant Professor of Composition at Penn State University. Previously, he taught composition and electronic music at the University of South Florida where he received a 2017 Outstanding Undergraduate Teacher award. His music has been presented in over 500 concerts in twenty countries, including a portrait concert by The U.S. Army Band “Pershings’s Own” in 2017.

STARS was premiered in 2019 by The Florida Orchestra during their Masterworks Series Concerts. Sekhon writes “STARS is a sonic exploration of stars from multiple perspectives. The initial concept was to explore the various ways humans interact with stars from scientific study to astronomy to astrology. This was accomplished by creating a musical world that includes the lull of gases in space that lead to the active creation of stars, pitches that act as individual stars, and clusters of pitches that act as musical galaxies in the work. This work presents a range of characters from heavily percussive moments to a distant twinkling of sound. The narrative of the work is one that begins with the formation of stars (inside) followed by a slow “zooming out” of the sky where the music moves away from a single star to slowly reveal a night sky filled with constellations (outside) to be gazed upon.”

Tonight’s performance has been lightly edited for time considerations.

A Gershwin Fantasy was arranged by Ralph Martino for Dale Underwood and the U.S. Navy Band. The arrangement takes several of George Gershwin’s greatest melodies including Strike Up the Band!, Summertime, Oh, Lady Be Good!, Fascinating Rhythm, It Ain't Necessarily So, Rhapsody in Blue, and I Got Rhythm and combines them into a showstopper for saxophone and concert band.

BRIAN BALMAGES was born in Baltimore to musician parents and it was obvious at a young age that he had inherited their gifts and passions. He was already an accomplished trumpeter when he began his undergraduate degree at James Madison University, and turned to composition more seriously while he was pursuing a master’s degree from the University of Miami. Although most of his early works were for college and advanced musicians, he partnered with The FJH Music Company and began writing pieces for young musicians – many of which have become standards throughout the country. Currently, he is Director of Instrumental Publications for The FJH Music Company and Assistant Director of Bands and Orchestras at Towson University.

Balmages’ program notes to Love and Light begin with a letter from 1st Lt. Elizabeth Elliott (edited): On November 8, 2018, our daughter, Madison Hope Elliott, was born. Her heart had stopped beating the day before and I labored for 12 hours to get to hold her for the first and last time that day. It was the worst and best day of our lives. If you’ve never kissed your child goodbye forever in a hospital room or held your child’s lifeless body in your arms, or felt the deep dark hole that losing a child leaves in your heart, then I hope you never do.

While I was in labor, knowing that it was just the beginning of our pain, I knew I wanted to commission a piece for her. I didn’t want Madison’s name to be forgotten. Oftentimes people wanted to help us but didn’t know what to say. Stillbirth isn’t openly discussed. Turning to music for comfort was just the natural thing for me to do. It took a few months for me to mourn and grieve and finally crawl out of my pit long enough to start reaching out to composers. We announced the project a little while later and the response we received was overwhelming.

We heard from people all over the country and the world who wanted to be a part of it. Once we saw the overwhelming response, my first reaction was a sense of responsibility to all of those families to whom this mattered so much and to make this project the best it could possibly be.

Balmages continues, “Love and Light is in three sections, each of which tackles an impossible question. The first section asks the question “What does unconditional love sound like?” Then the second question – “What does it sound like when that unconditional love is shattered?” And finally, the last and most difficult question. “What does it sound like when a child first sees the face of God?”

Program notes

CONDUCTOR bios

MATTHEW MCCUTCHEN has served on USF’s Music Faculty since 2009, first as the Director of Athletic Bands for nine years, and then as the Director of Bands since 2018. His responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble and teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in Conducting, Wind Band Literature, and Music Education. He is currently serving as the Interim Assistant Director of the School of Music.

McCutchen earned a Ph.D. in Music Education with an emphasis in Instrumental Conducting from Florida State University, a Master of Music in Conducting from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Furman University. Prior to coming to USF he taught middle school in Georgia, high school in Virginia, and served as an adjunct instructor at Virginia Commonwealth University for several semesters. He is active as a guest conductor and clinician. He is the Artistic Director and Conductor of the Florida Wind Band, and the Founder and Conductor of the Bay Area Youth (BAY) Winds, which features many of the finest high school musicians throughout the Tampa Area. He has been published in the National Band Association’s Journal (NBA Journal), the Florida Music Director and other notable publications. He is the Chair of the National Band Association/William D. Revelli Memorial Band Composition Contest Committee, and is a member of the John Philip Sousa Foundation Legion of Honor Selection Committee.

MARC SOSNOWCHIK has been the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at the

University of South Florida since 2018. His teaching responsibilities include conducting the Symphonic Band, teaching courses in conducting and music education, directing the Herd of Thunder Marching Band, and overseeing all aspects of Athletic Bands. Prior to coming to USF, he served as the Assistant Director of Bands at Oklahoma State University.

Sosnowchik earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Alabama, and both his Master’s and Doctor of Musical Arts Degrees in Conducting from The University of Texas at Austin. Before teaching at the university level, Dr. Sosnowchik taught at Louis Pizitz Middle School in Vestavia Hills, AL. During that time, he also served as conductor of the Tuscaloosa Winds and was a staff member for Music for All/Bands of America festivals and symposia. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Sosnowchik maintains an active schedule as a clinician, conductor, adjudicator, and arranger. He conducts honor bands throughout the United States, and in the summer teaches on the faculty of the World Youth Wind Orchestra Project/World Adult Wind Orchestra Project as part of the Mid-Europe Festival in Schladming, Austria. He is also the Associate Conductor of the Florida Wind Band.

TINA DIMEGLIO is the Assistant Director of Bands at the University

of South Florida. Dr. DiMeglio conducts the USF Concert Band and serves as Assistant Director of the Herd of Thunder Marching Band and Director of the Rumble Pep Band. She also teaches courses in conducting and music education. Recently, Dr. DiMeglio won first prize at the Inaugural Frederick Fennell International Conducting Competition, held in Modica, Italy in November 2021. She was a Conducting Fellow in the 2019 Midwest Clinic Reynolds Conducting Institute, and was also a recipient of the 2019 CBDNA Mike Moss Diversity Conducting Fellowship Study Grant.

Tina DiMeglio earned a Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) degree from the University of Miami, where she studied Instrumental Conducting with Dr. Robert Carnochan. She holds a Master of Music Degree in Wind Conducting from West Chester University, where she studied with Dr. Andrew Yozviak, and a bachelor’s degree in music education, clarinet concentration, from Temple University’s Boyer College of Music, where she studied clarinet with Paul Demers of the Philadelphia Orchestra and graduated Magna Cum Laude as a member of the academic honors program. A native of the Philadelphia area, Dr. DiMeglio served as the Band Director of Ridley High School, her alma mater, from 2011 - 2018. Dr. DiMeglio maintains a private lesson studio and performs professionally as a conductor, clinician, and clarinetist. When not teaching or performing, she enjoys spending time with her husband Jonathan and their many rescue animals.

WILLIAM W. WIEDRICH has served on USF’s Music Faculty since 1995. His responsibilities include conducting the University of South Florida Symphony Orchestra, teaching a large studio of graduate and undergraduate conductors as well as courses in Twentieth-Century Music Literature. He also serves as Music Director of the Tampa Metropolitan Youth Orchestra. His youth orchestras have appeared twice in Carnegie Hall. The TMYO was recently featured at an American String Teachers Association National Convention and has maintained a long-standing commissioning program of music for young orchestras.

Wiedrich earned his DMA in Orchestral/Wind Band Conducting from the University of Michigan, a Master of Music from the University of Oklahoma, and a Bachelor of Music Education from Michigan State University.

Wiedrich previously served as faculty at Michigan State University, East Carolina University, and as visiting faculty at the University of Michigan.

He has been a guest conductor and primary conducting teacher at the Jinsha Summer Music Festival in association with China’s Sichuan School of Music, at the Interlochen Arts Academy, and at the Kinhaven Music School in Vermont. He has been the principal orchestra conductor at both the SAS Summer Music Festival and the IASAS International Music Festival in Singapore. He is a regular conductor at Upper Michigan’s Iron County Youth Camp “Batawagama”. He has also conducted the summer orchestra at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and All-State Orchestras in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Michigan, New York, and Ohio, among others.

CONDUCTOR bios

artist bios

CALVIN FALWELL has served on USF’s Music and Honors

Faculty since 2010. His responsibilities at USF include teaching applied clarinet, bass clarinet and courses in popular music and culture. In addition to his duties at USF, Falwell holds the 3rd/Bass Clarinet chair with the Sarasota Orchestra. During the summer months can be found performing with the Charlottesville Opera Festival in Charlottesville, Virginia. Falwell is a Buffet Crampon, D’Addario Woodwind and BG France Performing Artist, performing on Buffet Clarinets, D’Addario Reeds and BG Ligatures exclusively. He earned Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Clarinet Performance from the University of Louisville and Duquesne University respectively and is currently completing his Doctorate in Music at Teachers College, Columbia University.

As an orchestral musician, Falwell has held positions with the Sarasota Opera Orchestra and the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra. He has also appeared with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, Alabama Symphony Orchestra, Memphis Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Music Festival, Florida Grand Opera, Miami City Ballet, Florida Orchestra and Louisville Orchestra, Former faculty appointments include The College of New Jersey, Holy Family University, Wilmington University, Hartwick College Music Festival and Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp.

KATHERINE WEINTRAUB-PEARCE joined USF’s faculty as Adjunct Professor of Saxophone in 2021.

Known for her sensitive musicianship, Dr. Weintraub-Pearce champions the standard repertoire of the saxophone, in addition to contemporary music and creative transcriptions of borrowed works. She has been praised by composer Libby Larson for her “technical brilliance” and her “uncanny ability to communicate the music directly to the heart of the listener.” Dr. Weintraub-Pearce received her Doctorate of Musical Arts (with Performer’s Certificate) from the Eastman School of Music (where she studied with Dr. Chien-Kwan Lin), and her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Music from the University of Michigan (where she studied with Donald Sinta).

Prior to moving to Tampa, Dr. Weintraub-Pearce served as the Visiting Assistant Professor of Saxophone at Florida State University from 20162018. In January of 2020, she was the winner of the Matthew Ruggiero International Woodwind Competition. Dr. Weintraub-Pearce has given guest artist recitals and masterclasses at universities nationwide. She has also commissioned and premiered several new works for the saxophone, two of which she premiered in the summer of 2018 at the World Saxophone Congress in Zagreb, Croatia. As a soloist, she has been featured with the Florida State University Wind Orchestra, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, and the Flint Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Weintraub-Pearce is a Selmer performing artist and performs exclusively on Selmer-Paris saxophones.

FLUTE/PICCOLO *Amanda Cardwell Zach Frankowiak Rachel Hertz Anna Mussin Phillips *Louis Torres OBOE Jessica Mullin – EH Malena Sellen *Runbin Zhou CLARINET Dylan Addonizio Cece Duquette *Simone Francis Stephen Lilly Brendan Patterson Keegan Wallace Kit Wiggins

BASS CLARINET *Sarah Israel Carson Sutton – Contra SAXOPHONE *Reed Stricsek – AS 1 / Sop Jordan Baylen-Gonzalez – AS 2 Eric Butler – TS Michael DeFiore – BS BASSOON *Jeanna Heezen Jalen Thedy TRUMPET Robert Carmichael Evan Heuermann Samuel Kofil *David Lewis Nicholas Lipsette Emma Nelson Carly Scholz

HORN Ashley Godwin Andrew Little *Zachary McKinon Jordan Mann

PIANO Steven Alvarez Castrillon

TROMBONE Jonathan Harvey Matthew McDowell Nathan Petersen *James Wall

PERCUSSION AJ Cerrito Dave Grullon *Wyatt Hatch Matt Korloch Joe Tremper Zachary Wadsworth

EUPHONIUM *Joshua Hardison Kenysha Johnson TUBA *Justin Bare John Miller DOUBLE BASS Faun Holley

HARP John McColley

* Denotes Principal Player

USF WIND AND PERCUSSION FACULTY FLUTE Francesca Arnone

TROMBONE Tom Brantley

OBOE Amy Collins

TUBA / EUPHONIUM Joseph Alvarez

CLARINET Calvin Falwell

PERCUSSION Kevin von Kampen

SAXOPHONE Katherine Weintraub-Pearce BASSOON Fernando Traba HORN Andrew Karr TRUMPET Jay Coble

USF BAND GRADUATE ASSISTANTS Devin Dedon Matthew McDowell Zachary Wadsworth