{"id":218844,"date":"2022-08-10T15:52:23","date_gmt":"2022-08-10T19:52:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/?p=218844"},"modified":"2022-10-18T10:11:35","modified_gmt":"2022-10-18T14:11:35","slug":"wind-symphony-performs-in-prague","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/newscenter\/2022\/08\/10\/wind-symphony-performs-in-prague\/","title":{"rendered":"Wind Symphony Performs in Prague"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Montclair State University Wind Symphony conducted by Thomas McCauley performed in Prague, Czech Republic, in late July at the World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles (WASBE) Conference, a festival of symphonic wind music held at the \u017dof\u00edn Palace.<\/p>\n

The Wind Symphony is composed of the highest-level wind players and percussionists at both the undergraduate and graduate levels from multiple music programs, including music education, music therapy, performance and composition. Their trip abroad marked the first time any large ensemble from the John J. Cali School of Music has received such a prestigious international invitation.<\/p>\n

Students made the most of the experience. \u201cIt felt like all of our hard work paid off and we were able to connect with the audience and share our story on an international level,\u201d says Karina Bloom, a flutist and junior Performance major.<\/p>\n

The conference celebrated 101 years since the birth of Karel Husa, an influential composer of symphonic wind music in his hometown of Prague, a year later than originally planned as the July conference was postponed in 2021 because of COVID-19. Montclair\u2019s performance was among eight concerts featuring ensembles from around the world.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe worked tirelessly all year to prepare for the performance and the results were significantly rewarding,\u201d says Amanda Roth, a junior Music Education major and flutist.<\/p>\n

But the group hadn\u2019t been together since May, and in the days leading up to the trip, 55 members of the Wind Symphony returned to campus for intense rehearsals. \u201cI\u2019m excited about taking them because quite a few of our students have never been out of New Jersey,\u201d McCauley said at the time. \u201cThis is going to be an earth-shattering trip for them and I’m thrilled to be able to do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roth says the experience was indeed special. \u201cExploring new cities and experiencing other cultures is an incredible experience alone. Performing music I love with other phenomenal musicians made it more so,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

In Prague, standout moments of the concert included Cali School faculty member and orchestral keyboardist Steven Ryan’s virtuosic solo of Olivier Messiaen\u2019s Colors of the Celestial City and the European premiere of Bruce Yurko\u2019s composition, TMCC Fanfare. Yurko is a former Karel Husa student who composed the piece for McCauley and the Wind Symphony.<\/p>\n

The trip also included an evening concert at the renowned MUTH concert hall in Vienna, Austria. \u201cThis is the same hall where the Vienna Boys Choir presents many of their concerts, and the space is magnificent,\u201d McCauley says. \u201cThe music we presented there was a bit lighter, and our soloist, faculty member and percussion area coordinator, Barry Centanni, playing two ragtime pieces on xylophone was easily one of the major highlights of the evening.\u201d That piece was arranged by Taylor Goodson, the Cali School\u2019s assistant production manager.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe received a standing ovation and performed an encore,\u201d Roth says. <\/p>\n

\u201cYou could just feel how delighted the audience was to experience American music,\u201d says Bloom.<\/p>\n

And in a fitting coda, McCauley says, \u201cTruly a memorable night.\u201d <\/p>\n

See the live-streamed performance in Vienna on the John J. Cali School of Music Facebook page<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A recording of the WASBE concert is available for purchase at www.markrecords.net<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Photo Gallery<\/h2>\n
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It\u2019s tough to pack light when you\u2019re carrying instruments abroad.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Montclair musicians arrive in the beautiful city of Prague.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Making a grand entrance at the \u017dof\u00edn Palace.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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\"musicians
Thomas McCauley, right, conducts a final rehearsal.<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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\"musicians
Showtime!<\/figcaption><\/figure>
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\"Two
Performing in the picturesque \u017dof\u00edn Palace.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Story by Staff Writer Marilyn Joyce Lehren<\/a>
\nPhotos courtesy of Professor of Music Marissa Silverman, Karina Bloom and Amanda Roth<\/p>\n