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TCU WIND SYMPHONY
AT CARNEGIE HALL
In February, the TCU Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble and Percussion
Ensemble performed in two New York City landmarks — Merkin
Concert Hall and Carnegie Hall. The Wind Symphony performed in
Carnegie’s Isaac Stern Auditorium on February 24. Guest artists for
the concert included the TCU Jazz Ensemble, under the direction
of Curt Wilson, and the American Brass Quintet. The night before,
the TCU Percussion Orchestra, under the direction of Brian West,
performed at Merkin Concert Hall.
“Performing in Carnegie Hall is kind of like the musical equivalent
of the football team playing in the Rose Bowl,” said Richard Gipson,
director of the School of Music. “These are concert venues that
represent the pinnacle of performance.”
Bobby Francis, conductor of the TCU Wind Symphony, said it
was a great opportunity for students, noting that they left the
performance with memories and a feeling of musical history. “I told
the band that this was a one-of-a-kind opportunity. It’s probably the
one performance venue in the entire world that people anywhere
in the world know just from the name,” he said. “It’s historical, it’s
prestigious – just hearing the name Carnegie Hall – it was an honor
to perform in such a magnificent hall.” KXAS-TV (Channel 5) did a
story on the trip to New York before the groups’ departure.
The TCU Wind Symphony also performed a combined concert with
the Ridgewood Community Band in New Jersey. The community
band’s conductor, Christian Wilhjelm, a previous conductor of the
legendary Goldman Band, praised the TCU Wind Symphony and
Francis for their outstanding commitment to music-making.
TCU PERCUSSION ORCHESTRA
PERFORMS IN NEW YORK
Last February, the TCU Percussion Orchestra gave its New York City debut
performance at the Kaufman Center’s Merkin Concert Hall. The performance
included five pieces commissioned by the TCU Percussion Orchestra and
Maslanka’s monumental piece “Hohner.” The TCU commissions included
“Doors,” composed by TCU alum and faculty member Dave Hall; “Oferendas
No. 3” by Ricardo Souza; “Symphony for Percussion” by Eric Ewazen; “Prelude
and Rondo alla marcia” by Raymond Helble; and “I Ching” by Dwayne Rice. It
was especially nice to have Rice and Ewazen in attendance at the concert.
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