John Hersey High School Symphonic Band
The highlight of this shared high school band concert on March 4th was a memorable performance of Leonard Bernstein’s “Slava!” performed by the John Hersey High School Symphonic Band conducted by director Scott Casagrande. The music’s difficult mixed meters were played with confidence and polish, and the style and charm of the piece came through with flying colors. I have heard this piece played by professional symphony orchestras, but this band arrangement played by this particular symphonic band made the case that this witty, exuberant work should be performed more often.
Scott Casagrande also conducted “Kingfishers Catch Fire” by the excellent composer John Mackey; Casagrande brought out the work’s colors and balances, effectively bringing to mind the beautiful but rare bird for which the title is named after. These kids were clearly well-prepared, as they were always solidly together with tight rhythm, unusually good intonation and sparkling percussion. Balances were in place, and nuances of tempo were conducted and executed with expertise. Casagrande opened with a bold, yet refined presentation of Scott Boerma’s “Cityscape”.
Then, guest conductor James F. Keene led a tender, sentimental reading of “Ballad for Band” by Morton Gould. “Sparkle”, a brilliantly scored piece by Shafer Mahoney was conducted by Thomas Beckwith; the performance was evocative and consistently captivating. Still, “Slava!” a work dedicated to the cellist Rostropovich, lingers in the memory and touchingly proves that the spirit and greatness of two legendary musicians, Leonard Bernstein and Rostropovich, live on through the committed performances of future generations such as students in the John Hersey High School Symphonic Band.
William Mason High School Wind Symphony
Regarding their Carnegie Hall performance on March 4th, Mason High School (Ohio) Band Director Robert Bass recently said: “It’s always been a dream to give our kids this opportunity.” Well, I’m happy to report that the William Mason High School Wind Symphony did not disappoint those who dreamed for them. The goal of performing at their highest level became a reality, as the students played with vigor, commitment, and–despite any nerves they must have had–utmost confidence.
Their program consisted of Ron Nelson’s Rocky Point Holiday and Eric Whitacre’s The Seal Lullaby–both instantly enjoyable; an appealing arrangement of Verdi’s La Forza Del Destino Overture; H. Owen Reed’s catchy La Fiesta Mexicana and Carnival; and John Astacio’s marvelous Frenergy. The selections were nicely varied and well-prepared. The excellent conductors included Micah Ewing, Avious Jackson, and Mason High School Band Director Robert Bass, plus world-renowned clinician, conductor, and adjudicator James F. Keene, who also guest conducted the John Hersey Band.
The band members and conductors have been preparing for this concert during class and after school rehearsals over the past few months. In January, the school organized a concert band camp, where professional musicians–many of whom are members of the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra–worked with students individually and by section. It is hard to imagine the Dayton Philharmonic winds and brass sounding much better than the Mason Wind Symphony students did on this particular night; the kids truly rose to the occasion. Except for some intonation lapses, the ensemble, blend and solidity of tone came off as professional-sounding here, so kudos to the conductors and the Dayton Philharmonic musicians for their obvious inspiration.
