On Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m., the SUNY New Paltz Symphonic Band held its annual winter concert at the Studley Theatre.
Deputy Chair and Associate Professor Dr. Joel Evans, directed the band and students of all majors were involved.
Students prepared for the concert, twice a week, all semester. Throughout the evening the band performed a variety of works.
Prior to the concert, Evans stated that he is very proud of this wonderful group of students and their devotion to music. “They’re a very popular group on campus and we usually have a full house,” Evans said.
The evening began with a traditional march called The Mad Major by Kenneth J. Alford, followed by Ye Banks and Braes O’Bonnie Doon and Three Gems from Lincolnshire Posey by Percy Grainger, Incantation and Dance by John Barnes Chance, First Suite in Eb Op. 28 No. 1 by Gustav Holst and finished with Journey Through Orion by Julie Giroux.
According to Evans, he enjoyed the final performance tremendously. “It’s a musical piece about a journey through outer space with wonderful sound effects,” Evans said.
After each piece, Evans gave a bit of commentary. Followed by the performance of Incantation and Dance, he acknowledged the students who will be graduating this semester, thus leaving the band.
“These are our SUNY New Paltz students, a lot to be proud of here,” Evans said.
Corri Moran, a first-year communication disorders major, attended the event for her Introduction to Music class. According to Moran she has to attend certain concerts throughout the semester for this course, but prefers a band performance to an orchestra.
Gary Patrik, 70, takes classes at SUNY New Paltz and has been in the band for eight years. “I’m a non-graduating senior,” Patrik said. In this performance, he played the trumpet, which he began playing at the age of nine.
According to Patrik, preparation for the concert is always a challenge but the outcome is consistently delightful. Patrik stated that Incantation and Dance was particularly tough to learn but incredibly beautiful.
Heather Ryan, a third-year history major and fellow trumpet player, joined the band her first year at New Paltz. She has been playing the trumpet for 11 years and plays guitar as a hobby.
Ryan stated that initially she was unaware that a band existed for all students to join and is very happy that she is able to continue performing.
“I absolutely love music!” Ryan said. “I’ve been in a band since elementary school so I’m thrilled that there is a band open to all students,”
The Symphonic Band performs two concerts a year, one at the end of the fall semester and the spring semester.
According to Ryan, Evans usually takes suggestions from the band members for the spring concert. She is hoping that they will perform a piece from The Lord of the Rings score.