MSW resumes!
Below is an important letter from Tim, as well as the MSW season calendar.
Hi everyone!
Even though we last performed less than two months ago, I find myself eager to get back at it, and I hope you’re also feeling the need to have your musical soul replenish your energy by way of making music with the Minnesota Symphonic Winds. It works for me!
I was so proud to be involved with MSW after each of our June performances (I am after ALL of our performances, I guess…). The appreciation for our music-making poured out of those audience members I talked with after the concerts, and they were thankful for more than just technically refined music delivered with impressive confidence and sensitive nuance – many expressed how meaningful, refreshing, needed, and beneficial the performance was for them. For many, it seemed to be just what they needed at that moment. We’re so lucky to be able to provide this kind of artistic experience for our audience members, and I’m quite thankful that you are all on board to chase after our music in a very serious manner. You all perform so well and it just gets better.
Our planning for the MSW season continues our work toward being a top-notch ensemble – and I’m incredibly excited for the upcoming year of music-making. The programs are being selected and the concert dates finalized—our first rehearsal (Wednesday, Sept. 11, 7:30–9:30 pm, Edina High School) is just over two weeks away! Concert dates are listed below. Please enter them into your calendar and then get your fingering charts out for a good review. They will also supply download instructions for the music (thank you, Amanda!!!).
What lies directly ahead for MSW is a very special event in our history, as we embark on establishing a regular festival to highlight the fine work of community bands. LET’S BAND TOGETHER launches with our joining with the Encore Wind Ensemble and the Grand Symphonic Winds in celebration of the music of Kevin Day, one of the vital new Black voices adding great works to the band’s repertoire. We will be premiering his commissioned work “Capricho” with the composer conducting the premiere.
We have FIVE rehearsals before our first program — here’s the information for this opening concert:
Let’s Band Together
with guest composer/conductor Kevin Day
Saturday, October 26, 2024 — 3:00 p.m. (with events starting at 1:00 pm)
Edina High School
Kevin Day will conduct the premiere of our consortium commissioned work – Capricho, and we’ll also present Minnesota composer Jocelyn Hagen’s To Gold in Broadest Blue, the Elegy of John Barnes Chance, and Vaclav Nehlybel’s Corsican Litany, conducted by Paul Kile.
We’ll follow that performance with our annual holiday celebration:
A Winter Jubilee
Seasonal Highlights with the Minnesota Symphonic Winds
Sunday, December 15, 2024 — 3:00 p.m.
Edina High School
Works will include Robert Thurston’s Dreidl Dance, Cowboy Christmas (arr. By Jeff Simmons) with Paul Kile on the podium, a work conducted by an MSW-member band director (TBD), Gustav Holst’s Christmas Day, the exciting Holiday Piece arranged by Jay Dawson, Bassoon It Will Be Christmas by James Stephenson, Florence Price’s Adoration, and Pink Zebra’s Winter Magic. We’’’ also take on one of my new works – Liberalitatis Celebranda.
Then we welcome our guest conductor, Dr. Heidi Johanna Miller from Gustavus.
Songs of the Earth and Sky
Dr. Heidi Johanna Miller, guest conductor
Saturday, February 22, 2025 — 7:30 pm Minnehaha Academy
Heidi Johanna Miller leads a concert with themes of nature and light. Opening with Oscar Navarro’s rip-roaring “Downey Overture,” we shift to the ethereal joy of Danielle Fisher’s “Feather” and Minnesota’s own Katherine Bergman’s “Basswood Canopy,” ending the first half with J.S. Bach’s glorious “Fantasia in G Major” – originally for organ, but perfectly realized by the wind band. Kevin Charoensri’s “Rising Light” takes us through his childhood journey with his mother and their experience of fighting Asian hate; the sound of protest fills this emotional work. The rich, warm harmonies of Frank Duarte’s choral work “Song for Mother Gaia” will leave you breathless before Eric Whitacre’s “Equus” picks up the pace – quite literally – and gallops to a brilliant conclusion.
Transitions
Joint Concert with Minneapolis South High School
Saturday, April 26 — 7:00 pm
Our shared performance with the Minneapolis South High School Wind Ensemble, Sofia Butler, conductor. We’re hoping for some meaningful interaction between the two groups. Our repertoire will center around Paul Kile leading MSW through a full performance of Randall Standridge’s Symphony No. 1: A Ghost Story, a MSW consortium commission. We will also present Julie Giroux’s One Life Beautiful, Jim Stephenson’s Fanfare for an Angel, and a new work of mine entitled Undying, a commission for an MSW premiere made by our friend and former member Bruce Perkins in memory of his father.
As I write this, our final plans for the June outdoor concert are also still being negotiated. Please see the calendar from Jill Westermeyer, our venerable manager, for the particulars.
A Musical Picnic
TBA
Musical treats at our “picnic” will include Ron Nelson’s Savannah River Holiday, John Zdechlik’s Lake Washington Suite, Carnival by James Barnes, Edmond Dedé’ s Mephisto Masque, MacArthur Park – an oldie but goodie by Jimmy Webb, and Ira Hearshen’s “Mambo Loco” from his Divertimento. Paul Kile will conduct two newer works – Intrinsic Light by Cait Nishimura and Illustrated Fantastical by T.J. Cole.
The plans to possibly perform at an event in June tied to the Bicentennial of the first Norwegian immigrants sailing to the US in 1825 did not fully formulate.
Important information follows – please be sure to read it!
As the Minnesota Symphonic Winds experience has been deepening over time, our level of music-making has become increasingly more refined and exciting. The topic of one’s personal musical commitment to part preparation has been raised occasionally over time. Please consider your membership in MSW carefully and evaluate your commitment to the ensemble and its members. Our survey results reiterated recently that inconsistent attendance and/or lack of individual practice/preparation outside of rehearsal greatly affects the morale and playing level of the ensemble. This holds us back. We also have waiting lists for nearly all of the sections that represent solid musicians eager to participate if given the chance. Please be sure that you can obligate yourself to the band according to its expectations. Nobody will be able to make every rehearsal, obviously, but I think it’s safe to say that if you have to miss more than two Wednesday night rehearsals during the preparation cycle for a concert you should arrange for a sub for that concert. I’m sure you understand what I am getting at here. Obviously, if for some reason, MSW doesn’t work into your plans for the coming season, please contact Jill and your section leader right away.
Get back to that instrument!! How many of you remember Amanda’s practice challenge! See you soon.
All my best,
Tim
MSW Season 24-25
MSW Picnic- Wednesday, August 28- 6:00 PM
Foundation Picnic Shelter, 2495 Victoria St N, Roseville, MN 55113 map
New Member Auditions- Wednesday, September 4, 7:30 PM
First Rehearsal- Wednesday, September 11, 7:30 PM
Saturday, October 26, 3:00 pm Edina High School
Community Band Festival performance with Artist in Residence Kevin Day
12:30pm Casual meet and greet
1:00-2:30 Presentations by Kevin Day
2:30 Break
3:00 Performance
3:40 Performance
4:20 Performance
5:00 Reception in Auditorium Commons
EHS Fick Auditorium Commons
– Encore/GSW/MSW each about 35’
Sunday, December 15, 3:00 PM- Edina High School
Winter Jubilee and Silent Auction
Saturday, February 22, 7:30 PM– Minnehaha Academy with guest conductor Dr. Heidi Johanna Miller
Saturday, April 26, 7:00 PM- Minneapolis South HS
Outdoor Concert TBA