This year’s UCLA Wind Ensemble is the best one yet ““
at least that’s the claim made by conductor Dr. Thomas
Lee.
But students will get a chance to find out for themselves on
Nov. 17 in the wind ensemble’s first concert of the year.
“It’s the most artistic, virtuosic wind ensemble
we’ve ever had. We have superb professional-quality players
on every instrument,” Lee enthused. “We’re so far
beyond where people think we are.”
While these concerts usually feature original compositions by
faculty members or graduate students, this will mark the first time
the wind ensemble premieres an original piece by an undergraduate.
The distinction goes to Derrick Spiva, whose “Seraph’s
Reflection” will be conducted by graduate conductor Victor
Aguilar. The piece is about a Seraph ““ a celestial being who
immediately incinerates anyone who looks at it because of its
incredible brightness ““ reacting to seeing its own reflection
in water.
“I’m excited for him, to see the charm in his eye,
when he hears the piece actually played live,” Aguilar said.
“It’s such an honor to have a piece played by an
ensemble of UCLA’s caliber.”
The concert will also celebrate the 150th birthday of John
Philip Sousa, “The March King.” To commemorate, the
United States Air Force Band Quintet from Washington, D.C. will be
coming to perform. In addition, the winner of the annual John Adams
Middle School essay contest will guest conduct Sousa’s
“The Stars and Stripes Forever.” The essay contest was
started ten years ago as part of an outreach program by the music
department.
Angela Woo, the director of instrumental music at John Adams,
appreciates what it has provided to some of her students.
“It’s a great opportunity for our students to
experience music at a different level,” Woo said. “For
them to see that music can be a lifelong opportunity is a unique
experience at this young age.”
Contestants were prompted to explain what music meant to them.
This year’s winner, Brittany Neff, recalled campfire songs on
family trips.
“The connections that occurred during these times made me
realize the power that music has to transform our human existence
and elevate us to feel more united,” the eighth grader
wrote.
“She’s thrilled,” said Woo of her student, who
has been boning up on her baton skills with Aguilar.
With so much going on that night, it’s bound to be a
crowd-pleaser for all.
“Everyone finds something of ours that they enjoy,”
said Lee. “And there are a couple of pieces, where I have to
say if it doesn’t move you, you have no soul.”