Wind Symphony Performance for Western/Northwest CBDNA Regional Conference

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Don L Peterson, Music

REPORT:

The MEG grant funding was designated as $5000 to assist with travel expenses of the Wind Symphony and soloist, Jaren Hinckley and an additional $1500 to purchase digital recorders–for a total of $6500.

I am pleased to report on the achievement of objectives sought through this grant. The overall experience created an enhanced environment for mentoring as we prepared for our performance at the CBDNA Conference in Reno, Nevada. The use of a faculty soloist and the experimental use of digital recorders for increased productivity and mentoring opportunities all enhanced the learning experience for our Wind Symphony.

Jaren Hinckley (professor of clarinet studio) appeared with us as soloist in both our preconference concert as well as the performance in Reno. Both his performance and the mentoring which took place during rehearsals were greatly appreciated by the ensemble. It gave all members of the band an opportunity to work with an outstanding faculty soloist. In addition, the process noticeably enhanced the relationship between Dr. Hinckley and his studio due to his attendance at rehearsals and the tour. Following the performance, it was rewarding to hear comments from faculty at other institutions make comments like, “Wow, that guy is a real artist” and “that is what a clarinet section is supposed to sound like.”

Additional results – inserted in red following italicized text from grant proposal:

How the project will provide a significant mentoring experience for students:

In addition to the typical (full rehearsal) procedures which include individual performance, feedback, revision, and group collaboration . . . the conductor and students will engage in additional processes to enhance the creative process, the preparation, and the ensuing performance. These will include:

  • Using digital recorders to record sections of the band
    • This did take place, particularly in sectionals. It didn’t work as well as we had hoped in the recording of isolated section performance during full rehearsal.
  • Having individual performers make personal evaluations of the recordings made by their sections
    • This was implemented and section leaders submitted recordings of prescribed (technically challenging) segments of the music we prepared. They identified to me (and some to their studio teachers) those passages that they felt needed continued attention.
  • Using studio faculty to critique section recordings—allowing them to help mentor our preparation without needing to attend rehearsals.
    • This had a degree of success. Although all of the studio teachers expressed support at the beginning of the project, in actuality only 3 of the 10 spent time listening and responding to the section recordings. However, in fairness to the studio faculty, it should be noted that some of the section leaders didn’t push the issue enough and follow through with the studio teachers–to get their help.
  • Having ensemble members evaluate and analyze professional recordings made of some these same compositions
    • Most of the compositions had available recordings and these were placed on blackboard. More than 90% of the band members completed their listening assignment, which included following along with their individual part-while listening to the complete recording. (The assignment included instructions to listen for how their individual part fit in with the ensemble –relationships of melody, countermelody, contextual balance etc.)
  • Correspond with at least one of the living composers—whose work we will perform (Chang su Koh –composer living in Osaka)
    • KOH’s written English was found to be less than we surmised when we met him in Japan. Nevertheless, we continued limited email communication and eventually sent him a recording of our performance at the CBDNA Conference. He was very complimentary and has maintained a certain degree of contact–even up until the date of this report (2013). The exposure of his music to other college directors has led to increased interest in the profession and even an invitation in 2012 to come to the U.S.A. and present more of his music at the Eastern Division CBDNA conference. An added bonus has been that our relationship has led him to share some of his music with us prior to its publication.

It should also be noted that the digital recorders continue to serve the ensemble—well beyond the period of this grant. They are used by section leaders and individual performers as they record and submit passages for comments and suggestions for improvement. Indeed, the enhanced mentoring goals of this proposal are continuing!

Budget:

Expenditures as per proposal –
$5000 to aid in travel expenses (approx. 25% of total travel expenses)
$1500 – 9 digital recorders

List of students:

FLUTE

  • Rachel Woodfield*,grad., Provo, UT
  • Katie Tolbert,sr., Concord, CA
  • Melissa Reese, soph., Bloomington, ID

PICCOLO

  • Nicole Okeson, jr., Midland, MI

OBOE

  • Megan Beardall , sr., Ft. Collins, CO
  • Brent Duford, fr., Salem, OR
  • Stephen Taylor, soph, Richmond, VA
  • Laurisa Christofferson, jr., Austin, TX
  • Dane Skabelund, jr., Santa Rosa, CA
  • Elisabeth Kaseda, fr., Draper, UT

BASS CLARINET

  • Kyle Miller, fr., Orem, UT
  • Dustin Cammack, sr., Phoenix, AZ

CONTRABASS

  • James Fletcher, fr., Orem, UT

BASSOON

  • Tairsa Brown*, fr.., Mapleton, UT
  • Amanda Moreton*, fr., Holladay, UT

ALTO SAXOPHONE

  • Mandy Merriman*, sr.,Sandy, UT
  • Justin Knapp, sr., Idaho Falls, ID
  • Jordan Widdison#, fr., Draper, UT

TENOR SAXOPHONE

  • Jory Woodis, jr, Cowley, WY

BARITONE SAXOPHONE

  • Mark Christenson, sr., Clearfield, UT

FRENCH HORN

  • Diana Dewey*, sr., Sturgis, SD
  • Benjamin Gooch, grad., Alameda, CA
  • William Loveless, fr., Salt Lake City, UT
  • Loyd Christensen, jr., Blackfoot, ID
  • Kirsten Ordakowski, sr., Mapleton, UT

CORNET

  • Charlie Carr*, jr., Park City, UT
  • Austin Benesh, soph., Loveland, CO
  • Justin Firth, fr., St. Louis, MO

ENGLISH HORN

  • Alex Hyde, soph., Pocatello, ID

CLARINET

  • Sarah Dickson*, soph., McLean, VA
  • Abby Clough, jr., Rochester Hills, MI
  • Justin Laukat (also Eb), jr., Draper, UT
  • Tara Hill, sr., Idaho Falls, ID
  • Courtney Moses, soph., Kaysville, UT
  • Brandt Jensen, soph., Owasso, OK
  • Skylar Steel, fr., Aloha, OR
  • Matthew Pace, soph., Henderson, NV

TROMBONE

  • Todd Jacobs*, grad., Centennial, CO
  • Curtis Biggs, soph., Payson, UT
  • Alex Steed, jr., Houston, TX
  • Austin Bushman, jr., Farmington, UT

EUPHONIUM

  • Daniel Stolworthy*, jr., Henderson, NV
  • David Larson, soph., Frisco, TX

TUBA

  • Brenden McQuay*, sr., Spring, TX
  • Ryan Lee, jr., San Diego, CA

PERCUSSION

  • Matt Tippetts*, sr., Lovell, WY
  • Celeste Lara, jr., Provo, UT
  • Marshall Oelkers, fr., Flower Mound, TX
  • TJ Peper, soph., Champaign, IL
  • Chris Nelson, jr., Keizer, OR
  • Matt Slack, sr., Carlsbad, CA

STRING BASS

  • Kelli Swan, sr., Mapleton, UT

PIANO

  • Jackie Bodily, sr., Plain City, UT

HARP

  • Mallory Wahlstrom, sr., Kaysville, UT

*= principal
#=extra for Pansori’c Rhapsody