Globe and Eagle March (1879)
Alla Rondo World (2023)
PROGRAM
John Philip Sousa (1854-1932)
Jackson Riffle (b. 1999)
World Premiere | Jeremy Smith, Doctoral Conducting Associate
Rhapsody in Blue (1924/1926/1998)
2022 Concerto Competition Winner | Jia Meng, Piano
BRIEF INTERMISSION
Symphony No. VI: The Blue Marble (2022)
I. The Big Blue Marble
II. Voices in Green
III. Let There Be Life
George Gershwin (1898-1937) arr. Donald Hunsberger Julie Giroux (b. 1961)
PROGRAM NOTES
Globe and Eagle March (1879) (2’30’’)
John Philip Sousa (1854-1932)
After his discharge from the Marine Corps, Sousa remained in Washington D.C. as a conductor and violinist. He toured with several traveling theater orchestras and moved, in 1876, to Philadelphia. There he worked as a composer, arranger, and a proofreader for publishing houses. Globe and Eagle March takes its title from the emblem of the U. S. Marine Corps. It was one of several military titles curiously chosen by Sousa while he was an orchestra conductor in Philadelphia. He might possibly have been bidding for the position of leader of the Marine Band, knowing that the leader at that time was about to be replaced.
Program note adapted from Paul E. Bierley
John Philip Sousa was born in 1854 in southeast Washington, D.C., near the Marine Barracks where his father Antonio played trombone in the Marine Band. Sousa studied piano and most orchestral instruments, excelling on the violin. When at age 13 young Sousa was almost persuaded to join a circus band, his father intervened, enlisting him as an apprentice musician in the Marine Band. Sousa remained in the band until he was 20, only to return five years later as the 17th Director. Sousa led “The President’s Own” from 1880 to 1892.
Alla Rondo World (2023) (8’)
Jackson Riffle (b. 1999)
*world premiere
Alla Rondo World is a set of stylistic variations developed from the third movement of Mozart’s Piano Sonata in A Major, K. 331, “Rondo Alla Turca.” Orchestrated for wind ensemble, this piece wondrously transforms Mozart’s themes into a variety of contrasting styles, taking the ensemble and audience on an exhilarating journey they will never forget.
Jackson RiffleJackson Riffle is a performer, educator, composer, and arranger, originally from Pleasant Hill, Ohio. He received his Bachelor of Music with concentrations in Piano and Percussion Performance from Wright State University, under the mentorship of Mr. Gerald Noble and Dr. Jackson Leung, and his Master’s in Music from the University of Georgia under the guidance of Professor. Tim Adams. Jackson has appeared as a soloist with the Dayton Philharmonic, Wright State University Chamber Orchestra, Wright State University Symphony Orchestra, Kettering Civic Band, Sinclair Community College Wind Symphony, and has performed with the Charleston Symphony (SC), Huntsville Symphony (AL), Augusta Symphony (GA), Springfield Symphony (OH), Richmond Symphony (IN), Carmel Symphony (IN), and Ozark Opera Orchestra (AR).
Rhapsody in Blue (1924/1926/1998) (18’)
George Gershwin (1898-1937); arr. Donald Hunsberger
Gershwin began work on Rhapsody in Blue on Monday, January 7. After initial rehearsals, several modifications were made to the score, most notably a change to the opening clarinet solo. Gershwin had originally written a seventeen-note slur, and clarinetist Ross Gorman improvised the signature clarinet “wail” in the opening solo. According to contemporary reviews, the concert was rather dull, but Rhapsody in Blue was received enthusiastically by the audience, which included Jascha Heifetz, Victor Herbert, Fritz Kreisler, Sergei Rachmaninoff, John Philip Sousa, Leopold Stokowski and Igor Stravinsky. Program note adapted from The Wind Repertory Project
George Gershwin, born in Brooklyn, New York on September 26, 1898, was the second son of Russian immigrants. As a boy, George was anything but studious, and it came as a wonderful surprise to his family that he had secretly been learning to play the piano. In 1924, when George teamed up with his older brother Ira, “the Gershwins” became the dominant Broadway songwriters, creating infectious rhythm numbers and poignant ballads, fashioning the words to fit the melodies with a “glove-like” fidelity. This extraordinary combination created a succession of musical comedies, including Lady, Be Good! (1924), Oh, Kay! (1926), Funny Face (1927), Strike Up The Band (1927 and 1930), Girl Crazy (1930), and Of Thee I Sing (1931), the first musical comedy to win a Pulitzer Prize. Over the years, Gershwin songs have also been used in numerous films, including Shall We Dance (1937), A Damsel in Distress (1937), and An American In Paris (1951).
Symphony No. VI: The Blue Marble (2022) (26’)
Julie Giroux (b.1961)
The Blue Marble imagines our world from three perspectives. The first movement’s title comes from the first full image taken of Earth during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The photo became one of the most reproduced images in history, and made it clear to humanity how small and vulnerable our planet is. The second movement was inspired by recordings of the Amazon jungle by renowned sound engineer George Vlad, made during rainy season when the birds are the most vocal. According to the composer, “The rain forest has its own music. The density of growth with every shade of green, is the backdrop for this beautiful, strange opera.” The third movement uses a recurring theme that expresses themes of violence, death, birth, and life. A recurring theme evolves throughout the movement, “transporting us from one musical setting to the next, ending in a majestic, grandiose way.”
R. Scott MullenJulie Giroux is an American composer of works for orchestra, chorus, chamber ensembles, and a significant body of music for wind ensemble. She studied at Louisiana State University and Boston University, and was a student of Jerry Goldsmith, Bill Conti, and John Williams. Much of her early work was composing and orchestrating for film and television, and she has worked as an arranger for Reba McIntyre, Madonna, and Michael Jackson.
ARTISTIC TEAM BIOGRAPHIES
NICHOLAS ENRICO WILLIAMS is a Professor of Music and serves as the Director of Bands at the University of Georgia, where he coordinates one of the country’s largest and most comprehensive university band programs, conducts the University of Georgia Wind Ensemble, and oversees the graduate wind band conducting area. Prior to his time in Athens, he was the Director of Wind Bands at the University of Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (Melbourne, Australia). Before venturing to Australia, Dr. Williams flourished for sixteen years as the Assistant Director of Wind Studies, the Conductor of the Wind Ensemble, Brass Band, and Concert Band, as well as the Director of Athletic Bands at the University of North Texas. For a decade, he was the Conductor of the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra Wind Symphony and continues to be a frequent guest conductor of the Dallas Winds (formerly Dallas Wind Symphony), one of America’s few professional civic wind bands. Professor Williams earned the Bachelor of Music (music education), MM (performance-conducting), and DMA (conducting) degrees from the University of North Texas.
Dr. Williams is active in Australia, Canada, Europe, Southeast Asia, and the United States as a conductor, clinician, adjudicator, consultant, and arranger; his arrangements and transcriptions for wind band, percussion ensembles, drum corps, and school pageantry ensembles are performed by outstanding organizations throughout the world. A member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs), he is a sought-after recording session producer, associate producer, editor, and conductor, having been involved with numerous CDs and DVDs on the Klavier, Mark Records, and GIA labels.
PIANIST JIA MENG is an emerging artist from Dalian, China and has appeared on the front cover of the Clavier Companion magazine. As a winner of the Chicago College of Performing Arts’ Annual Showcase and a finalist of the Aeolian Classics Emerging Artist Competition, Meng has toured extensively around Chicago, performing in venues such as Ganz Hall, The Breakers, and Grace Church. She also has performed in some of the most esteemed venues in China, including Dalian Grand Theater and Shenyang Conservatory. Tonight, she performs Rhapsody in Blue with the University of Georgia Wind Ensemble as the 2022 Concerto Competition winner.
Aside from performing, Meng is also passionate about teaching and has taught students for about 10 years. She has previously been on the piano faculty of the University of Georgia Community Music School, and she now teaches in music institutions around the Chicago area.
Meng is a DMA candidate at the University of Georgia under Professor Evgeny Rivkin, where she is also receiving a minor in Piano Pedagogy. She holds a Bachelor and Master’s degree from the Chicago College of Performing Arts, where she studied with Winston Choi and Edward Auer.
JEREMY SMITH is a third-year Doctoral Conducting Associate at the University of Georgia and is in the conducting studio of Dr. Nicholas Williams, with additional mentorship by Dr. Jaclyn Hartenberger. Jeremy is a native of Atlanta, Georgia, and a proud product of the DeKalb County School District, where he graduated from Southwest DeKalb High School. He attended Florida A&M University and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Music Education. Jeremy later received his Master’s in Music Education from Norfolk State University while serving as a graduate assistant with the band program. In this capacity, he co-conducted the symphonic wind ensemble, assisted with the marching band, and aided in the recruitment efforts for the band program. Most recently, Jeremy completed his Education Specialist degree (EdS) in Music Education from Piedmont College (Demorest, GA).
Jeremy started his teaching career as an elementary band director in the DeKalb County School District. He later served as the Orchestra and Assistant Band Director at Stephenson Middle School and served as the Assistant Band Director at Stephenson High School for three years. As Assistant Band Director at Stephenson High School, he assisted with the wind ensemble, conducted the symphonic band and trumpet choir, served as the primary drill writer for the marching band, and taught the beginning band class.
Jeremy is a member of the College Band Directors Association (CBDNA), National Association for Music Educators (NAFME), the Georgia Music Educators Association (GMEA), Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity of America, and Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity.
FLUTE
Heesoo Jeong, Johns Creek, GA
Rachel Lee, Suwanee, GA
David Ma, Tampa, FL
Yinzi Zhou, Buford, GA
OBOE
Xander Herman, Decatur, GA
Gracee Myers, Broxton, GA
Michelle Moeller, Dallas, TX
CLARINET
Tan Charintranont, Augusta, GA
Sarah Frois, Goiânia, Goiás
Ryan Hanling, Augusta, GA
Duncan Jourdan, Monroe, GA
Elise Larson, Carrollton, GA
Allyson McKoon, Newnan, GA
Daniel Park, Buford, GA
Sophie Ray, Bishop, GA
Ian Robinson, Lawrenceville, GA
Taylor Spires, Braselton, GA
BASSOON
Yamilet Anariba, Gainsville, GA
Hsin Cheng, Taipei, Taiwan
J.T. Holdbrooks, Alabaster, AL
SAXOPHONE
Addison Aycock, Charlotte, NC
Michael Chapa, Dallas, TX
Brennan Sweet, Flowery Branch, GA
Jon Erik Tripp, Lavonia, GA
TRUMPET
Toby Johnson, Newnan, GA
Jake Landau, Galax, Virginia
Victor Pires, Bauru, São Paulo - Brazil
Ben Stocksdale, Cumming, GA
James Vaughn, Augusta, GA
Ramon Zamudio, Madison, GA
HORN
Emma Barnstead, Blue Ridge, GA
Dawson Burnes, Rome, GA
Gracie Gambrell, Carrollton, GA
Joseph Johnson, Long Island, NY
Anthony Parrish, Morris, AL
Sam Wells, Watkinsville, GA
TROMBONE
Danny Alford, Lexington, KY
Eli Boudreaux, New Orleans, LA
Elizabeth Toles, Stilwell, KS
Ben Novo, Cartersville, GA
EUPHONIUM
Tianxiang Gu, Shanghai, China
Susana Rivas, Chatsworth, GA
TUBA
Hunter Kane, Charleston, SC
Jack Neja, Marietta, GA
STRING BASS
Michael Farrick, Barnesville, MN
PERCUSSION
Will Collins, Kennesaw, GA
Tanner Falin, Statesboro, GA
Rubianne Fraelle, Savannah, GA
Thomas Huff, Winder, GA
Henry Pattavina, Athens, GA
Jackson Riffle, Pleasant Hill, OH
Patrick Sorah, Jefferson, GA
Mackenzie Roquemore, Fayetteville, GA
PIANO
Daijing Ren, Hebei Province, China
HARP
Evelyn Raphael, Decatur, GA
Nicholas Enrico Williams
Jaclyn Hartenberger
Brett Bawcum
Michael C. Robinson
Rob Akridge
Mia Athanas
R. Scott Mullen
Jeremy Smith
Gilbert Villagrana
Caroline Wright
Anthony Morris
Michael Chapa
Joseph Johnson
Michelle Moeller
Rocky Raffle
Angela Jones-Reus
Reid Messich
Amy Pollard
D. Ray McClellan
Brandon Quarles
Phil Smith
Brandon Craswell
Jean Martin-Williams
James Naigus
Peter J. Jutras
Adrian P. Childs
Brandon Craswell
Amy Pollard
Edith Hollander
James Sewell
Shaun Baer
Paul Griffith
Eric Dluzniewski
Scott Higgins
Tony Graves
Dan Phipps
Director of Bands
Associate Director of Bands
Assistant Director of Bands/Director of Athletic Bands
Professor/Conductor of Symphonic Band
Assistant Director of Athletic Bands/Band Festivals Director
Assistant Director of Athletic Bands
Doctoral Conducting Associate
Doctoral Conducting Associate
Doctoral Conducting Associate
Doctoral Conducting Associate
Master’s Conducting Associate
Athletic Bands Graduate Assistant Graduate Assistant Graduate Assistant
Large Ensemble Office Manager
INSTRUMENTAL FACULTY
Flute Oboe Bassoon
Clarinet
Saxophone Trumpet
Trumpet Horn Horn
Joshua Bynum
Matthew Shipes
Timothy K. Adams, Jr.
Kimberly Toscano Adams
Milton Masciadri
Monica Hargrave
Liza Stepanova
Trombone
Euphonium/Tuba
Percussion Percussion
Double Bass Harp Piano Piano
Evgeny Rivkin Director
Associate Director for Graduate Studies
Associate Director for Undergraduate Studies
Associate Director for Performance
Assistant to the Director
Production and Events Manager
Director of Public Relations
Academic Professional, Sound Recording
Academic Professional, Sound Recording
Lead Piano Technician
Piano Technician
Sectioning Officer
3:30 p.m.
Ramsey Concert Hall
FREE CONCERT NO TICKETS REQUIRED
WED 9/27
7:30 p.m.
Hodgson Concert Hall
FREE CONCERT NO TICKETS REQUIRED
6 p.m. Edge Concert Hall
HHSOM Building FREE CONCERT NO TICKETS REQUIRED
7:30 p.m. Hodgson Concert Hall
FREE CONCERT NO TICKETS REQUIRED 6 p.m. Edge Concert Hall
THURS 10/5
HHSOM Building FREE CONCERT NO TICKETS REQUIRED