| McNeese State University Brass Weekend 2005 | May 15, 2005 | |||||||||
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The McNeese State University Brass Weekend 2005 (March 3rd - 5th, 2005) showcased performers Dr. Timothy Justus on trumpet & cornet, Dr. Thomas Zugger on trombone, and Dr. Gail Lehto on clarinet, in clinics and recitals. Our featured performers were the Boston Brass (Jeff Conner, trumpet; Richard Kelley, trumpet; J.D. Shaw, horn; Ed Clough, trombone; and Andrew Hitz, tuba). The Boston Brass performed on Friday evening with the McNeese State University Wind Symphony (directed by Dr. Jeffrey J. Lemke) on the McNeese State University Arts and Humanities “Banners Series,” in Bulber Auditorium on the McNeese campus to a crowd of about 1600 people. The weekend started with the Boston Brass in rehearsal with the McNeese State University Wind Symphony on Thursday evening, in preparations for Friday night’s concert. It continued the following morning with clinics by guest artists Tim Justus, Tom Zugger and Gail Lehto. Timothy Justus gave a marvelous clinic on the performance of 19th century trumpet and cornet staples of the repertoire, with demonstrations of period instruments and lots of “show and tell.” Tom Zugger worked with several McNeese low brass students (Chris Brown, euphonium – Rocked in the Cradle of the Deep by Rollinson; Jordan Perry, trombone – Thoughts of Love by Pryor; and Jon Fortner, trombone –Three Miniatures by Plog) and demonstrated the use of the “Light Doodler” for application in the brass studio for teaching and applying the proper use of air in creating a continuous sound. Gail Lehto worked with students of Jan Scott (clarinet studio at McNeese) - (Erin Burdick, Hite Etude in Bb; Kristy Touchet, Osborne Rhapsody; Dahee Kwon, Stravinsky Three Pieces; Jenny Iles, Copland Cadenza) as well as with the Clarinet Choir (Nelhybel Chorale and Danza). Dr. Justus (currently Associate Professor at the University of South Alabama in Mobile) followed up the clinic of Friday morning with a wonderful recital on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m.: 19 th Music for the Trumpet and Cornet as Performed on Period Instruments. He used the long F rotary valve trumpet, the rotary trumpet in Bb and A, and the cornet in Bb (all period instruments from his personal collection). Works performed included: the Böhme Konzert in E moll; the Brandt Concerto I, op. 11;Fantasie Brillante on themes from Don Carlos Opéra Di Verdi by J.B. Arban; Variations in F by F. D. Weber; and the Northern Fantasia, op. 20, by Th. Hoch. He played brilliantly on those old squirrelly instruments, and was accompanied on piano by Becky Blake of Lake Charles. Dr. Zugger and Dr. Lehto, both of Capital University in Columbus, Ohio), shared a recital of contemporary and 20 th century works for trombone and clarinet. Works performed included: Panarama, by Einar England (trbn.); Three Pieces for Clarinet Solo, by Igor Stravinsky; New York Variations, by Jeffrey Agrell (trbn.); The Devil and the Hemlock Stone for B flat Clarinet and Sound Design Op. 26, by Nigel Clarke; The Conditions of a Solitary Bird by Lawrence Borden (trbn.); and two works composed by Zugger for trombone and clarinet duet – Three Dances (1998); and Todayesterday (2004). The audience heard some great fresh sounds, as well some works that have become standards of the 20th century trombone and clarinet repertoire. The Friday evening concert featured the impeccable musicianship and showmanship of the Boston Brass with the McNeese State University Wind Symphony in two selections directed by Dr. Jeffrey Lemke: Wayside Festival and C.B. Finnegan’s Flight by composer Rick De Jonge. The first half of the program was newly composed music for the group, as well as arrangements and transcriptions of classical works, performed with great feeling and emotion. The second half of the program was jazz and pop works in arrangements by J.D. Shaw (horn). Andrew Hitz played some great jazz funk tuba, as well as laying down bass lines with style and panache. Rich Kelley (trumpet) played some marvelous jazz solos, and the whole group displayed the virtuosic ensemble and audience rapport for which they have become known. Their clinic on Saturday morning was notable for the roundtable approach to each student’s performance. As each student played, members of the group would take turns providing critique and helpful tips on improving their performance and stage presence and presentation. Student performers included Charlie Mitchell (trumpet, Bach Badinerie), Tim Gambill (tuba, Capuzzi Andante), Gregg Alvarez (trumpet, Bach Minuet I & II), Nick Frederick (trumpet, Stevens Sonata), and Ray Lavan (trumpet, Mendez La Virgen de la Macarena). The best quote of the day was from J.D. Shaw on the importance of the bow, and how to do it: “These are my shoes!” A great weekend, some wonderful music making, great clinics and great opportunities for growth: The McNeese State University Brass Weekend 2005 was a complete success and a pleasure for all involved. Thanks go to all the participants and clinicians for their performances and work with the students. Until next year…
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