Sample Wind Ensemble Performance

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On December 3rd, at 7:30 PM, I had the opportunity to go see San Jose State University’s wind ensemble performance. The wind ensemble consisted of people who played piccolos, flutes, oboes, bassoons, clarinets, saxophones, trumpets, horns, trombones, tubas, the triangle, the xylophone, the double bass, and finally, the piano. The wind ensemble performance was conducted by Paul Herrera. Accompanying the band was Michael Martinez, a well-known soprano saxophone soloist.
The venue itself took place in San Jose State University’s Music Concert Hall. The stage was set up with a piano, xylophone, the conductor’s stand, and chairs separated by rows where the majority of the performers will be seated. Each performer and the conductor was dressed in
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1988, Rockford, IL), a composer whose diverse body of work includes music for orchestras, wind bands, chamber ensembles, and the voice. Mr. French studied composition with Richard Danielpour at the Manhattan School of Music, where he earned his Bachelor’s in Music Composition. A Los Angeles native, Mr. French is currently pursuing his Ph.D. in Music Composition at the University of California, Los Angeles where he studies with Ian Krouse and Paul Chihara. Mr. French’s music receives regular performances in venues across North America under conductors including Jack Stamp, David Gilbert, John Carnahan, Mitch Fennell, and Travis Cross, among others. In 2012, Mr. French was the winner of the National Children’s Chorus National Composition Contest for his cantata ‘Till Daybreak (2011) and was recently commissioned by the Indiana University of Pennsylvania to compose a new work for premiere in the Spring of 2015. Mr. French serves regularly as guest conductor and clinician and maintains an active private studio. His original compositions are published by Boosey & Hawkes and Daniel French Music …show more content…
Before, I never realized the complex methodological processes used to create the many pieces in classical music. Because of that, I appreciate the people who perform in the classical art of music since it takes years of practice to be able to get to a level of utmost proficiency. Unique techniques and forms, such as the ‘wave form’ from The Descending Blue (2013) or Beethoven’s highly expressive style of music makes each piece of classical music differentiate from one another: not one piece sounds the same. This uniqueness from piece to piece sparks my curiosity to go out and indulge myself in the world of classical music. In comparison to modern day music such as pop or rap, I think what makes classical music “classical” is the sheer creativity put into the creation of each piece and the preservation through passing down from generation to

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