MAISIE STRADER
Special to The Leader
SUNY Fredonia’s School of Music hosted its first ever Fredonia Symphonic Winds concert on Sept. 29 in King Concert Hall. The conductor, Dr. Carrie Pawelski, hopes to recognize the series of changes our world has experienced through the ensemble’s power of music.
The symphonic wind ensemble played an arrangement of seven pieces, including “A Mother of a Revolution,” “Aurora Awakes,” “Visionary,” “Salvation is Created” and “Morning Star.” They also played “The Machine Awakes” and “Be Thou My Vision,” which were led by assistant conductor Benjamin Kohn.
Pawelski acknowledged how each of these pieces resembles a different type of change, leading to a revolutionizing theme throughout the performance. Two freshman students of the group shared how they prepared for the concert, what is the most stressful part of going on stage and what their favorite piece is. In addition, they provided an inside look into the concert.
“I prepared by practicing a lot,” said Alex Bowser, a freshman trombone and piano player. “I also wanted to not look like an idiot on the piano, so I tried really hard to not make that happen.”
Bowser believes that the two to three hours preceding a concert are some of the most stressful parts.
“I know the performance will be fine. The preceding hours are nerve wracking,” Bowser said.
Bowser’s favorite piece is “Aurora Awakes.”
“The woodwinds do a great job in the beginning and the key changes with the brass entering, that is one of my favorite spots in any piece of music probably ever,” Bowser said.
Freshman tubist Ivan Mofardin had a very different perspective on these questions.
“I switched tubas, so I spent a lot of time learning how to play notes again, as my new tuba had totally different fingerings,” Mofardin said.
Mofardin’s favorite piece was “Morning Star.” He said that it has a great upbeat feel and is challenging. However, he said that “Aurora Awakes” was a close second.
After the show, audience member Derek James expressed his thoughts about the performance.
“I just watched my dear friend Ivan tear it up,” James said.” He played something that sounded almost like Jurassic Park, which was pretty awesome,”
Pawelski and Kohn captured the meaning of a change, with song and tears. Fredonia sparks the sound of a revolution every time an instrument is picked up in the band room.