Contemporary Music For Wind Band

This recital will feature contemporary works for the modern wind band by American, English, and Australian composers. The acoustics of the Dr. Steel Recital Hall will be put to the test with Ron Nelson's 'Epiphanies.' It is a festive piece of extreme dynamic range that moves from dissonance to consonance, while exploiting the tonal colours of woodwind, brass, and percussion instruments. In contrast, English composer Guy Woolfenden's 'Illyrian Dances' is a suite of pieces based on seventeenth century dance types; hence, the dynamic range is much more limiting.

'Firefly' by Ryan George is a programmatic work that portrays the busy flight of this insect with swirling woodwind runs punctuated by brass and percussion effects. Originally written for trombone choir, 'Eviler Elves' by James Kazik conjures images of snarky sounds through the use of mutes and dissonant intervals. 'Children's March' by Australian Percy Grainger is among the first wind band works to use piano. Grainger uses the full colouristic resources of the woodwind family and his unique approach to harmony in this engaging tune.

This recital will be the final Wind Symphony performance for three of its graduating students: Sarah McCormack, saxophone; Nicole Green, piano; and Spencer Matheson, French horn. All three have made significant contributions to UPEI and the Wind Symphony in particular, throughout their undergraduate careers.

Tickets for this performance may be purchased in advance at UPEI's music department or at the door prior to the recital. The public is invited to attend.