David Starnes conducts the wind ensemble in a performance of Vox Populi. Photo by Stephen Baldwin.
When you think of a good way to spend a Tuesday evening do the words “wind ensemble” come to mind? If not, then maybe you should reconsider.
On Tuesday, Oct. 11, the Western Carolina wind ensemble performed for the first time of the Fall 2016 semester in a nearly full Bardo Arts Center. The performance included pieces such as “Vox Populi” (guest-conducted by David Starnes), a harrowing piece by Richard Danielpour that pulls you in with all of the force of a hurricane, as well as the full three movements of the “New England Triptych.”
The ensemble was composed of students in the Western Carolina music program and the talent in the group was clear for all to see and hear.
WCU Wind Ensemble as they are preparing to start the performance. Photo by Stephen Baldwin.
“It was pretty exhilarating to play a phrase and look around at everyone around you and know you just played [it] the best you’ve ever played it,” said Spence Howell, one of the trumpet players of the evening.
Margaret Underwood, associate professor of music at Western Carolina University, conducted the performance.
“I’m just really thrilled and excited and proud of all the students and all the work they’ve done for this pretty intense program,” said Underwood on the performers of the evening.
And those performers have plenty to be proud of. The WCU Wind Ensemble has been selected to perform at the 2016 North Carolina Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference in Winston-Salem on Nov. 7.
“It gives me a good opportunity to perform as an orchestral percussionist … it gives me the chance to widen my range, not just as a percussionist, but as a musician in general,” said Dylan Teabo, a kettle drummer, on the opportunity that the NCMEA presented.
