About the Ensemble
Under the direction of Dr. Robert J. Ambrose, the Georgia State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble is recognized as one of the finest ensembles of its type in the region. As the premier wind band at Georgia State, the ensemble comprises the most advanced woodwind, brass, and percussion players from the School of Music, selected each semester by audition. The Symphonic Wind Ensemble has accepted multiple performance invitations at prestigious conferences of the College Band Directors National Association and Georgia Music Educators Association. In addition, the ensemble has undertaken several recording projects. This includes their American Manuscripts recording released on the Summit label; their recordings of the music of Michael Colgrass on GIA's Composer's Collection and Teaching Music Through Performance in Band series; and reference recordings on numerous composer's websites. Dr. Ambrose and the Symphonic Wind Ensemble are deeply committed to supporting the creation of new works and have commissioned more than forty works since Dr. Ambrose's tenure began in 2001.
...based on Cy Twombly's painting of the same title and borrowing the artist's techniques in creating a musical tapestry that honors the paining in a different medium.
Petals of Fire (2017)
Zhou Tian (b. 1981)
Petals of Fire is a fierce and colorful rhapsody inspired by American artist Cy Twombly’s 1989 painting of the same title. Part of the work was adapted from a movement of my Concerto for Orchestra. I’ve always been interested in learning how artists mix different styles and techniques to create a unique, new look. Inspired by Twombly’s attempt to combine text and color to express himself visually (literally, words are part of his painting, much like what Chinese painters did during the Song dynasty), I, as a composer, wanted to create a fusion of musical styles, harmony, and timbre, using a large wind ensemble. In a way, everyone in the ensemble is a “petal”: together, the fire glows, disappears, and dances…
Petals of Fire was commissioned by Michigan State University Wind Symphony and Director of Bands Kevin Sedatole for the 2017 CBDNA National Convention.
Program note by the composer
... utilizes the spiritual Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and the gregorian chant In Paradisum as the primary melodic material for the work.
SWEET CHARIOT (2019)
Carlos Simon (b. 1986)
Composed in 2019, Sweet Chariot was commissioned by a consortium led by Robert Ambrose at Georgia State University. Simon, the son of a minister, used an African American spiritual as a melodic resource due to the depth and meaning ingrained in spirituals.He chose Swing Low, Sweet Chariot because of its beauty and familiarity. Combining the spiritual with the Gregorian chant from the Latin mass for the dead, In Paradisum, the work highlights the spiritual meaning of afterlife and death. The text is as follows: “May the angels lead you into paradise; may the martyrs receive you at your arrival and lead you to the holy city Jerusalem. May choirs of angels receive you and with Lazarus, once (a) poor (man), may you have eternal rest.”
- Program note compiled from various sources
... a fantasy on Gabrieli's Canzon Primi Toni, the work is a synthesis of the old and the new, evoking the mystery and allure of Gabrieli's spatial mmusic, intertwined with a rich color palette, and modal harmonies.
Cathedrals (2007)
Kathryn Salfelder (b. 1987)
Adam Dalton, conductor
Cathedrals is a fantasy on Gabrieli’s Canzon Primi Toni from “Sacrae Symphoniae,” which dates from 1597. Written for St. Mark’s Cathedral in Venice, the canzon was scored for two brass choirs, each comprised of two trumpets and two trombones. The choirs were stationed in opposite balconies of the church according to the antiphonal principal of Cori Spezzati (It. ‘broken choirs’), which forms the basis of much of Gabrieli’s writing. Cathedrals is an adventure in ‘neo-renaissance’ music, in its seating arrangement, antiphonal qualities, 16th century counterpoint, and canonic textures. Its form is structured on the golden ratio (1: .618), which is commonly found not only in nature and art, but also in the motets and masses of Renaissance composers such as Palestrina and Lassus. The golden section (m. 141), the area surrounding the golden section (mm. 114-177), and its series of extrapolated subdivisions have audible characteristics, often evidenced by cadences, changes in texture, or juxtaposition of ideas. The work is a synthesis of the old and the new, evoking the mystery and allure of Gabrieli’s spatial music, intertwined with a rich color palette, modal harmonies, and textures of woodwinds and percussion
Program note by composer
...we hope to bring into a new light this Estonian composer who is relatively unknown outside of his native country.
Galop “Merry Shrovetide in St. Petersburg” (1903)
Eduard Tamm (1897 – 1941)
T. Devin Reid, conductor
Eduard Tamm is a composer from the Baltic country of Estonia and lived from 1879 to 1941. As a child, he studied violin and cornet. He became a cadet in the 92nd Infantry Regiment and then went to the St. Petersburg Conservatory, where he became a French hornist and earned a position in the Russian Imperial Orchestra. After the Russian October Revolution in 1917, he conducted the St. Petersburg Militia Band. He is credited with writing the first march by an Estonian. Merry Shrovetide in St. Petersburg is classified as a circus march (or “gallop”), which was commonly used during the circus heyday as a way to stir up enthusiasm for the various acts and excite the crowds.
Program note compiled from various sources
...the chorale melody Nicht so traurig, nicht so sehr is subjected to continued treatment, modification, and variation throughout the piece.
Traveler (2003)
David Maslanka (1943 – 2017)
The idea for Traveler came from the feeling of a big life movement as I contemplated my friend’s retirement. Traveler begins with an assertive statement of the chorale melody “Nicht so traurig, nicht so sehr” (“Not so sad, not so much”). The chorale was not chosen for its title, although in retrospect it seems quite appropriate. The last part of life need not be sad. It is an accumulation of all that has gone before, and a powerful projection into the future – the potential for a tremendous gift of life and joy. And so the music begins with energy and movement, depicting an engaged life in full stride. At the halfway point, a meditative quiet settles in. Life’s battles are largely done; the soul is preparing for its next big step.
In our hearts, our minds, our souls
We travel from life to life to life
In time and eternity.
Program note by the composer
...an orchestral work transcribed for wind band and presented in a new light.
CONGA DEL FUEGO NUEVO (2001/2011)
Arturo Marquez (b. 1950)
Arr. Oliver Nickel
Following the success of Márquez’s Danzón No. 2, adapted for band, Oliver Nickel’s transcription of Conga del Fuego Nuevo (Conga of New Fire) gives an added kick to the concert band repertoire. In contrast to the elegant, sinuous Danzón, the Conga is an uptempo, celebratory piece, bright and catchy, with the percussion section providing the signature kick at the end of the conga pattern. Márquez slows things down in the middle section to spotlight the first trumpet in a melody that recalls the mariachi tradition. The alto saxes pick it up and relax into a ritard, only to be interrupted by the return of the opening material. The piece ends in a fiery fashion.
Program note provided by the publisher
Dr. Robert J. Ambrose
Robert J. Ambrose is a versatile musician who pursues a wide range of professional activities. Ambrose currently serves as Director of Bands at Georgia State University, a research institution of over 53,000 students. He is also Founder and Music Director of the Atlanta Chamber Winds, the National Chamber Winds, and Ensemble ATL.
Dr. Ambrose is in constant demand as a guest conductor and has performed on four continents. Recent engagements include performances in Australia, Canada, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan as well as across the United States. He has also served as a guest conductor on tour with The United States Army Field Band, the only civilian ever to be asked to do so. A prolific arranger, his transcriptions and editions are widely-performed. Ambrose studied at Boston College, Boston University, and Northwestern University, where he received the Doctor of Music degree in conducting.
Dr. Adam F. Dalton
Dr. Adam Dalton is currently the Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. Dr. Dalton oversees all aspects of a robust athletic band program. He also conducts the Wind Orchestra and teaches other courses in the School of Music. Prior to his appointment to GSU, Dr. Dalton was Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Marshall University where he managed comprehensive band program including concert bands, the Marching Thunder, and basketball pep bands.
Dr. Dalton is a native of Virginia where he attended James Madison University and earned a Bachelor of Music in Music Education. After graduating, he moved to Atlanta, GA where he taught high school at Milton High School, a large 5A program in Georgia. He then accepted a Graduate Teaching Assistantship at The University of Alabama where he received his Master of Arts in Music Education and a Doctor of Musical Arts in Instrumental Conducting. Dr. Dalton performed with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps for three years earning two world championships and a gold medal in individual and ensemble. He also marched in various independent winter guards in the southeast, consistently making finals at Winter Guard International. His designing and teaching experience includes the 2008 World Champion Phantom Regiment, The Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps, The Cadets, Troopers, and Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps. He is featured on the WGI video, Toss and served as a clinician and performer for the first everSpinfest Clinic, an annual educational event sponsored by WGI. Dr. Dalton maintains a busy schedule as a designer, consultant, and adjudicator for marching bands and indoor groups both nationally and internationally.
Dr. Dalton worked with every ensemble while at The University of Alabama and was a featured conductor for the 2013 All-State Festival performance with The Alabama Wind Ensemble. His high school band received superior ratings at Large Group Performance Association. As a percussionist, Dr. Dalton performed with the Alabama Wind Ensemble for four years including their 10 day tour of Italy in 2012. He is a founding member of the Alabama Winds, a community band based in Birmingham, AL. He has also participated in the Alabama Wind Ensemble recording project The Glass Bead, available on Albany Records.
Dr. Dalton’s professional affiliations include the Collegiate Band Director’s National Conference, the National Band Association, and the National Association for Music Education.
T. Devin Reid
T. Devin Reid is currently an active musician and educator throughout the southeast. A native of Fayetteville, NC, Mr. Reid is a 2005 recipient of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship. He holds a Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
In 2018 Mr. Reid accepted the position as Assistant Director of Bands at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA. Prior to this, Mr. Reid served as the interim assistant director of bands for two years. In this capacity he co-teaches the Panther Marching Band, conducts the Basketball Band, conducts the University Concert Band, teaches undergraduate and graduate level conducting courses, and supervises student teachers in the field among other duties and courses. Since his arrival, the GSU Concert Band has grown to become the largest instrumental concert ensemble at the university. With Mr. Reid’s direction, the GSU Panther Band performed in 2019 as part of the Pepsi Super Bowl LIII Halftime Show, been accepted as a CBDNA Southern Region top marching band in 2020, and been accepted to perform in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade. Preceding to his appointment at Georgia State, Mr. Reid taught public school in Georgia and North Carolina and served as Graduate Assistant for the Georgia State University Bands. While teaching at James Kenan High School (NC), Mr. Reid grew the program from 0% to 10% of the school population in just three years. His ensembles performed at numerous events in and out of the community including the NC Muscadine Festival, NC PAS Day of Percussion and the Virginia International Music Festival.
Mr. Reid has presented clinics and workshops at the North Carolina Music Educators Conference, Georgia Music Educators Conference, Tennessee Music Educators Conference, South Carolina Music Educators Conference, Florida Music Educators Conference, American String Teachers Association National Conference and the Georgia State University Bands of Distinction Honor Clinic. He is a recurrent guest conductor at the International Euphonium and Tuba Festival. He is also an active concert band and marching band clinician and adjudicator throughout Georgia, Virginia and North Carolina.
As a performer, Mr. Reid is an actively sought-after musician. He was the percussionist for the popular brass quintet and Delos recording artist “Da Capo Brass”. Their debut album “From The Beginning” stormed the iTunes classical charts at #8 in January 2012. He has also been a member of the regionally acclaimed bluegrass band, “T.R. and the Boys” as baritone vocalist and mandolin player. They have three releases, and their most recent album; “Lonesome” features one of his original songs as the title track. He is a member of the National Association for Music Education, College Band Directors National Association and is an endorser for Sabian Cymbals.
Mr. Reid is happily married to his beautiful wife Amy and they reside in Powder Springs, GA with their daughter Katelynn and son Ethan.
Credits:
Created with images by Helen - "Water lilies - Monet detail" • Zzvet - "Ancient marble bas relief of a Charioteer - famous landmark of Archaic period, late 6th century BC, from Cyzicus (Erdek), Turkey" • demerzel21 - "Milan Cathedral - Italy" • Samuel - "Male hiker with backpack looking down the valley at sunset in Dolomites, Italy" • studybos - "flame fire with sparks on black background"