Sergeant First Class Denver Dill presents Wind Works by Luciano Berio

By Sgt. Major Christopher Jones | Published: April 21, 2010 | Leave a comment

West Point, NY – On Sunday, May 2 at 3:00 p.m. at the Jewish Chapel, trumpeter Sgt. 1st Class Denver Dill will present a concert featuring six pieces from Luciano Berio’s legendary Sequenza series. He will be joined by Sgt. Major Lynn Cunningham, flute; Sgt. 1st Class Brian Broelmann, alto saxophone; Sgt. 1st Class Sam Kaestner, clarinet; Staff Sgt. Philip Stehly, trombone; and Staff Sgt. Stacy Wilson, soprano saxophone. The concert is free and open to the public.

Italian-born Luciano Berio (1925-2003) is one of the preeminent composers of the twentieth century. His compositions, many of them electronic, often use the human voice through spoken syllables, whispers, and shouts. This concert will feature selections from one of Berio’s most enduring instrumental pieces. According to Janet K. Halfyard, author of Berio’s Sequenzas: Performance, Composition, and Analysis, “The Sequenza series is one of the most remarkable achievements of the late twentieth century – a collection of virtuoso pieces that explores the capabilities of a solo instrument and its player, making extreme technical demands of the performer whilst developing the musical vocabulary of the instrument in compositions so assured and so distinctive that each piece both initiates and potentially exhausts the repertoire of a new genre.”

Each soloist will perform the piece from the Sequenza series that corresponds to his or her instrument in this rare musical tribute. It promises to be an afternoon of intense listening but with great rewards in store for the devoted listener.

Sgt. 1st Class Dill has been a prizewinner and competitor in several competitions, including the Maurice Andre International Trumpet Competition in France, Tromp Muziek Biennale International Trumpet Competition in the Netherlands, and National Trumpet Competition in the United States. Dill was contracted as a soloist for the New York Philharmonic to play Berio’s Sequenza X. He holds degrees from the Juilliard School and Eastern Kentucky University.

For concert information, cancellations and updates, call the Academy Band’s 24-hour hotline at (845) 938-2617; or visit us on the Internet at www.westpoint.edu/band.

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Poughkeepsie and Washingtonville High School Winners Perform 18 APR

By Sgt. Major Christopher Jones | Published: April 13, 2010 | Leave a comment

WEST POINT BAND PRESENTS YOUNG ARTIST CONCERT

West Point, NY – The West Point Band will present its annual “Young Artist” concert on Sunday, April 18 at 3:00 p.m. in the Eisenhower Hall Ballroom. Flutists Audrey Zybura and Rachel Susser will be the afternoon’s featured soloists. Join the West Point Band for a matinee of terrific music! This concert is free and open to the public.

Conductor First Lieutenant Dae Kim’s program features two standards of band literature: Grainger’s Lincolnshire Posy and Mendelssohn’s Overture for Winds. Highlighting the afternoon will be performances of the West Point Band’s Young Artist Solo Competition winners, Audrey Zybura and Rachel Susser. Movement one of Mozart’s Concerto No. 2 in D Major will be performed by Audrey Zybura. Rachel Susser will follow with the third movement of Ibert’s Concerto for Flute. The concert will close with Bernstein’s Slava!

Rachel Susser is a senior at Poughkeepsie High School. She is active as a leader in many clubs, including National Honor Society, and has participated on the swim and track teams. Rachel began playing the flute in fourth grade. She currently studies with Bonnie Ham, who teaches at Marist College and Dutchess Community College. She has previously studied with flutists Hilary Lynch and Laurie Catanzaro. In 2008 she won a Soloist Award at the FiestaVal Competition in Virginia Beach, and in 2009 she was the winner of the SUNY New Paltz College-Youth Symphony Soloist Competition. This year, Rachel won the Hudson Valley Philharmonic Virtuoso-in-Progress competition and performed with the orchestra in March. She is principal flute of the College-Youth Symphony in residence at SUNY New Paltz. Ms. Susser plans to pursue a college degree in flute performance.

Audrey Zybura is currently a junior at Washingtonville High School. She serves as the section leader of the Wind Ensemble. Audrey has been playing flute since the fifth grade and began studying with Mrs. Nicole Jones that same year. She participated in the Orange County All-County Festivals every year since sixth grade, and this year she participated in Area All-State. Furthermore, she was selected as an alternate for the 2009 All-State Conference and has recently performed with the NYSBDA Honors Band in Syracuse. Other organizations that Audrey has been performing with for the past two years are the SUNY New Paltz College Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Hudson Valley Honors Youth Wind Ensemble. An avid Beatles admirer, Audrey attended the Fest for Beatles Fans 2 years ago. While there, she won first place, performing a rendition of “Eleanor Rigby” on her flute in an open competition. Beyond the flute, Audrey also enjoys singing. Ms. Zybura plans to major in flute performance in college.

Please allow extra travel time for the 100% vehicle and photo I.D. inspection at Stony Lonesome and Thayer gates. Due to changing security requirements at West Point, call the Academy Band’s hotline at 845-938-2617, or check www.westpoint.edu/special before leaving for the concert.

For concert information, cancellations and updates, call the Academy Band’s 24-hour hotline at (845) 938-2617; or visit us on the Internet at www.westpoint.edu/band.

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Primal Clarinet lands in Orange County

By Sgt. Major Christopher Jones | Published: April 13, 2010 | Leave a comment

West Point, NY – Sergeant Major Christopher Jones will present a diverse recital of music for clarinet. The program will include works by Paul Hindemith, Walter Hartley, John Mackey, Philip Parker and others. Sergeant Major Jones will be joined by Ruthanne Schempf on piano and several members of the West Point Band on various brass and percussion instruments. The recital is free and open to the public on Saturday, April 17th at 7:30 p.m. in the West Point Band’s home, Egner Hall, 685 Hardee Place, West Point, New York, 10996.

The gritty, raw emotion of German romanticism and modern drums will be performed on Primal Clarinet, by clarinetist Sgt. Major Christopher Jones, pianist Ruthanne Schempf and members of the West Point Band. Romantic opera composer Carl Maria von Weber wrote his Clarinet Concerto #1, Op. 73, for Heinrich Bärmann in 1811. Soulful melodies with passionate, virtuosic passages make this one of the top all-time concertos for clarinet. German composer Paul Hindemith wrote the Sonate for clarinet and piano in 1939 while he was living in Hungary. Stressed relations with the Nazi party eventually led to his move to the U.S. in 1940. Like the Weber, the Hindemith Sonate presents a wide variety of emotions, especially reminiscent of the turbulent time period.

The Parker Five Bagatelles and Hartley Two Dances were both written in the 1980s and present a lighter mood than the previous works. However, they provide that primal urge to tap your foot. John Mackey’s Damn, for amplified clarinet and four percussion, is one of the most exciting new, short clarinet works available. Written in 1998, it was used by the U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swim Team for competition. Also performing on this recital is trumpeter Sgt. 1st Class Eric Miller and percussionists Sgt. 1st Class Rone Sparrow and Staff Sgts David Bergman, Nathan Eby and Eric Garcia.

For concert information, cancellations and updates, call the Academy Band’s 24-hour hotline at (845) 938-2617; or visit us on the Internet at www.westpoint.edu/band .

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Ten reasons to hear the West Point Band on Apr. 9

By Sgt. Major Christopher Jones | Published: April 1, 2010 | Leave a comment

9 APR (Friday), 7:30 p.m, Ike Hall, West Point, New York – FREE

Download and view the program here… http://www.westpoint.edu/band/files/CB%204-9-10%20web.pdf

1. The West Point Band is SMOKIN’! Have you heard us lately? Amazing talent by one of America’s premier military bands right here in the Hudson Valley.

2. Dr. Mallory Thompson is one of the most respected and sought out music educator/conductors today. The 9 APR event is the culmination of the West Point Conductors Workshop. Dr. Thompson is not only conducting on the event but coaching all of the other guest conductors on the program.

3. Staff Sgt. Stacy Wilson performing as soloist on soprano saxophone. Prior to joining the Army and in the Army, Staff Sgt. Wilson has been an award winning performer. Learn more about her here http://www.westpoint.edu/band/about%20us/saxes.htm

4. The Mackey Concerto for Soprano Sax and Wind Ensemble. Anything you learn of programmed with Mackey on the slate, GO HEAR IT. His music is exciting to say the least.

5. Grainger Country Gardens and Colonial Song. Percy Grainger is perhaps the most revered wind band composer of all time. Combine that with a military premier band. MUST SEE AND HEAR.

6. Want to see the next Bernstein? Six talented people, besides Dr. Thompson and the band’s officers, who are all working on doctorates or have amazing teaching/professional experience, will lead the band to a new level.

7. THE CONCERT IS FREE!!! As the lead publicist of this band, I’m told often that “If it’s free, it must not be worth seeing.” Well, get yourself to West Point for this event and you will not regret it.

8. Insiders secret: West Point Band members are prepared and rehearsing the band for this event. Yes, amazing conducting talent is coming to lead us, but the amazing talent inside the band is tightening up the music for the guests. Anyone understand “Multi-talent?”

9. Do not forget to bring the kids! Especially if they are learning an instrument. HEARING LIVE MUSIC IN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT FOR MUSICAL DEVELOPMENT.

10. While I sit in this organization and perform, I’m often amazed at the talent around me especially in solo passages throughout the band. Then, when we have the ensemble passages, BAM! Get to West Point to hear this concert!

Bonus reason: John Philip Sousa’s Hail to the Spirit of Liberty, Gorb’s Adrenaline City, Daugherty’s Niagara Falls, Granthams’ J’ai ete au bal, Corigliano’s Gazebo Dances, Whitacre’s Sleep and Bernstein’s Profanation from Jeremiah, Symphony No. 1. Again, see our program at http://www.westpoint.edu/band/files/CB%204-9-10%20web.pdf

CLICK HERE TO READ THE THE PRESS RELEASE FOR THIS EVENT: http://www.westpoint.edu/band/Performances/press.htm#conducting

Dr. Mallory Thompson Conducts the West Point Band Bernstein Profanation from Jeremiah, "Symphony No. 1"

Dr. Mallory Thompson Conducts the West Point Band Bernstein Profanation from Jeremiah, "Symphony No. 1"

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Staff Sgt. Carla Moebius Presents a Trumpet Afternoon

By Sgt. Major Christopher Jones | Published: March 18, 2010 | Leave a comment

West Point, NY – On Sunday, March 28, at 3:00 p.m. at the Jewish Chapel, trumpeter Staff Sgt. Carla Moebius will present a recital of music for trumpet as part of the West Point Band’s Chamber Recital Series. She will be accompanied by pianist Jessica Stitt. The concert is free and open to the public. Call 845-938-2617 or visit www.westpoint.edu/band

Among the most recently composed pieces on the program are Fantasie, written in 2005 by James M. Stephenson and Kent Kennan’s three-movement Sonata, written in 1986. Staff Sgt. Moebius will perform In My Life and A Heart Full of Love from the legendary musical, Les Miserables. Moebius is a member of the West Point Band’s Regimental Brass Quintet, and the ensemble will be featured on two pieces. The first, Pavane, is the middle movement of American composer Morton Gould’s American Symphonette, as arranged by Master Sgt. (Ret) Harry Ditzel. It has been adapted many times over the years, especially by jazz musicians, because of its swinging rhythms. The second of the two quintet pieces is Kevin McKee’s 2006 show-stopper Escape, closing out what promises to be a richly varied afternoon of music.

Staff Sgt. Moebius received a Bachelor of Music Education from Indiana University and has held classroom and private teaching positions in Indiana, Illinois, and Washington, D.C. She received her Master of Music in trumpet performance from the University of Maryland where she served as an adjunct faculty member in instrumental education. Staff Sgt. Moebius also served as the administrator for the Maryland Boys Choir. Her trumpet teachers include Edmund Cord and Chris Gekker.

West Point Band trumpeter Staff Sgt. Carla Moebius gives free recital on 28 March

West Point Band trumpeter Staff Sgt. Carla Moebius gives free recital on 28 March

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Welcome!

By Timothy Malcolm | Published: February 19, 2010 | Leave a comment

Hey everyone!

This is the start of something great. It’s the Times Herald-Record’s blog devoted solely to Hudson Valley music and dance. Post event announcements, reviews, profiles or, really, anything you want about the region’s music and dance scene.

We want you to use this space as a bulletin board. Let the region know what you’re doing. We’ll be checking in all the time, talking about the scene and using your information to better serve the residents of the Hudson Valley.

We’re here for you.

So post away! Have fun, be courteous and let’s raise the amount of conversation about Hudson Valley music and dance!

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