The Wind Ensemble at SUNY Fredonia, one of the School of Music’s premier ensembles, will perform in high schools across New York State during its spring tour.
Buffalo, Brockport, Hilton, Schenectady and Guilderland Center are among destinations of the 44-student ensemble directed by Dr. Paula Holcomb. The ensemble, comprised of the School of Music’s finest wind, brass and percussion students, will work with band programs during the school day and then give evening concerts, including several alongside ensembles of the host schools.
SUNY Fredonia alumni who are directing some of the state’s finest high school band programs will host many of the ensemble’s visits and concerts.
The ensemble’s performances will showcase outstanding works selected from Leonard Bernstein's “Profanation” from Jeremiah Symphony No. 1; “Passage” by Scott Lindroth; “Colonial Song” by Percy Grainger, “Circus Polka” by Igor Stravinsky; “Scherzo alla Marcia” from Symphony No. 8 by Ralph Vaughn Williams; and “Sensemayá” by Silvestre Revueltas.
Accompanying the Wind Ensemble as soloists on the March 10 to 14 tour will be Dr. Alex Jokipii and Geoffrey Hardcastle, co-chairs of the School of Music’s trumpet studio and members (principal trumpet and second trumpet, respectively) of the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Holcomb came to SUNY Fredonia in 1999 after serving as Director of Bands for 20 years at Central College, Iowa, where her Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Band toured Canada, Europe and Mexico. She has conducted bands and orchestras in 42 states and was recently elected to the Council for the World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, vice president of the Conductors Guild and past president of the Northeastern Division of the College Band Directors National Association.
The Wind Ensemble is one of three School of Music student groups that conduct annual spring tours.
