The Eastman Wind Ensemble (EWE) – America’s leading wind ensemble and pioneering force in the symphonic wind band movement throughout the world – is poised to celebrate the 70th anniversary of its founding with a week of performances, lectures, and conducting masterclasses. The events surrounding this occasion will take place from January 25-29, 2023, at the Eastman School of Music, of the University of Rochester.
“We are so proud to celebrate seven decades of the Eastman Wind Ensemble and share our history with the world,” says Dr. Mark Scatterday ‘89E (DMA), Professor of Conducting and conductor of the EWE. “Through world premieres, commissioning of new works, tours, recordings, and live concerts, the EWE has been the leading force in the ever growing and changing wind band field. I encourage you to join Donald Hunsberger and myself in this monumental anniversary of the Eastman Wind Ensemble – America’s first and finest!”
On Wednesday, January 25 at 7:30 PM, the Eastman Wind Orchestra will present a concert in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, with a program of works considered to be repertoire staples of the EWE’s founder, Dr. Frederick Fennell ‘37E, ‘39E (MS). The pioneering conductor envisioned an ensemble of wind, brass, and percussion instruments that would focus on flexible instrumentation and a “one player per part” philosophy. Pieces to be performed by the EWO will include Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Toccata Marziale, Gordon Jacob’s William Byrd Suite, and Morton Gould’s Ballad, among others. Dr. Scatterday, along with doctoral conducting assistants Luke Camarillo and Mason St. Pierre, will lead from the podium.
On Friday, January 27 at 7:30 PM, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, led by Dr. Scatterday and Conductor Emeritus Dr. Donald Hunsberger ‘54E, ‘59E (MM), ‘63E (DMA), will give its 70th Anniversary Concert in Kodak Hall – with a program nodding to the Ensemble’s debut concert on February 8, 1953. Repertoire on the 1953 debut concert included Mozart’s Serenade No. 10 in B-flat Major, K. 361/370a (Gran Partita), Wallingford Riegger’s Nonet for Brass, and Paul Hindemith’s Symphony in B–flat. Honoring this historic occasion, the January 27 concert will include both works by Mozart and Hindemith. Riegger’s Nonet will be replaced by Valerie Coleman’s Fanfare for Uncommon Times.
Dr. Hunsberger shares, “It is a great pleasure to salute the Eastman Wind Ensemble on its 70th Anniversary, an occasion to recognize seven decades of leadership that includes the creation of numerous new works for the wind band/ensemble. The EWE played a leading role in this developmental process, as well as in the refinement and expansion of instrumental performance techniques.”
He continues, “Having performed in the Ensemble’s inaugural concert, and participating in every Anniversary since, I still feel part of its continual growth and performance opportunities. In keeping with the numerous times that I received annual salutations for the Ensemble from Frederick Fennell, I am pleased to say, ‘Happy Anniversary, EWE and Mark Scatterday!’”
From January 27-29, the International Conductors Guild will host the Frederick Fennell Memorial Conducting Masterclass at Eastman. During this weekend, ten participants selected from around the country will conduct the Wind Ensemble and Wind Orchestra while receiving feedback from Scatterday and Hunsberger. There will also be a series of discussions, including a session with American Musicologist Neal Zaslaw, Cornell University’s Herbert Gussman Professor of Music Emeritus, on Mozart’s Gran Partita.
The Eastman Wind Orchestra and Eastman Wind Ensemble Concerts are free and open to the public. More information on the Eastman Wind Ensemble’s 70th Anniversary can be found online at esm.rochester.edu/events.
Media only: Lauren Sageer, Assistant Director of Public Relations and Digital Content,
(585) 451-8492, lsageer@esm.rochester.edu
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About the Eastman Wind Ensemble:
The Eastman Wind Ensemble is America’s leading wind ensemble. Founded by Frederick Fennell in 1952, the ensemble became the pioneering force in the symphonic wind band movement in the United States and abroad. The ensemble has released more than 40 recordings; done major tours of the United States, Japan and the Far East, most recently a six-city, 12-day tour in Europe; and has been invited to perform at many festivals and music conferences. Dr. Mark Scatterday is the current conductor of the Eastman Wind Ensemble.
About Eastman School of Music:
The Eastman School of Music was founded in 1921 by industrialist and philanthropist George Eastman (1854-1932), founder of Eastman Kodak Company. It was the first professional school of the University of Rochester. Mr. Eastman’s dream was that his school would provide a broad education in the liberal arts as well as superb musical training.
More than 900 students are enrolled in the Collegiate Division of the Eastman School of Music—about 500 undergraduates and 400 graduate students. They come from almost every state, and approximately 23 percent are from other countries. They are taught by a faculty comprised of more than 130 highly regarded performers, composers, conductors, scholars, and educators. They are Pulitzer Prize winners, Grammy winners, Emmy winners, Guggenheim fellows, ASCAP Award recipients, published authors, recording artists, and acclaimed musicians who have performed in the world’s greatest concert halls. Each year, Eastman’s students, faculty members, and guest artists present more than 900 concerts to the Rochester community. Additionally, more than 1,700 members of the Rochester community, from young children through senior citizens, are enrolled in the Eastman Community Music School.
About the University of Rochester:
The University of Rochester is one of the nation’s leading private research universities, one of only 62-member institutions in the Association of American Universities. Located in Rochester, NY, the University gives undergraduates exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College, School of Arts and Sciences, and Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are complemented by the Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Nursing, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, and the Memorial Art Gallery.