2008 Woodie Awards
SBU's Symphonic Winds gives breathtaking performance
Nicole Heitmann
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: In the Spotlight
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Brian Hopwood, director of instrumental studies, conducted the winds portion.
The concert began as everyone stood and sang "The Star Spangled Banner" as the Symphonic Winds played. "The Thunderer" by John Philip Sousa followed the first selection. The woodwind portions of this song were well balanced and harmonious. The third selection was entitled "Symphony on Themes of John Philip Sousa" in which the winds played the second movement entitled "After 'The Thunderer" composed by Ira Hearshen. This selection was not as bright as "The Thunderer" but continued in the mood of it. Sophomore Laura Willis on oboe and junior Justin Goodwin on trombone were featured in this piece.
After the third selection, a clarinet quartet took to the stage. The members included SBU graduate Brian Hopwood, freshman Amelia Stahlhuth and sophomores Sandra Falter and Kathleen Midgett on bass clarinet. They were coached by Hopwood. The quartet played "American Sketch," composed by Francis McKay and "Summertime" composed by Gershwin/Marshall and arranged by Art Marshall. "Summertime" had a blues-like feel with strong bass by Midgett throughout. There was consistency among all members, and the lead had great dynamics.
The Symphonic Winds advanced the concert by playing "Color" composed by Bob Margolis.
Within the piece there were places of very strong brass and percussion as well as places with strong woodwinds. The third movement especially grabbed attention by beginning slow with the clarinet section and adding more and more instruments to produce a grand ending. The tuba and flute section in the fourth movement also sounded beautiful.
A woodwind trio entertained the audience with a piece composed by Franz Joseph Haydn and arranged by Ary van Leeuwen. The trio consisted of freshman Carrie Maloy on flute; Willis on oboe and freshman Michelle Sage on clarinet. They were coached by Dr. Jeff Waters, professor and department chair. Within the piece there were very strong clarinet runs and scale passages. As the piece intensified there was a section similar to a duel between three in which each part fought back and forth.
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