THE 2012 TOUR— June 18th through July 30th
American Wind Symphony Orchestra Sets Sail “One More Time”
Tour 2012:
Press Release Performance Schedule
The Music…
Wind Symphony concerts begin with the spectacular opening of the vessel’s music shell, powered by hydraulic lifts. As the roof is raised, the first strains of Aaron Copland’s “Fanfare for the Common Man” are heard – and an evening of fascinating sights and sounds begins. Musicians are arrayed in a series of stainless steel sculptured “trees,” so that all are visible. And the percussionists are not wallflowers in this group – they perform right out front, with their gleaming batteries of timpani, drums, mallet instruments, chimes and bells.
Music programs are varied and interesting, including classics such as Handel’s “Water Music” or Mozart’s “Grande Serenade,” as well as newly commissioned works, Broadway medleys and Sousa marches. Since the AWSO’s early days in its 54-year history, Robert Boudreau has been searching out exciting young composers, and has commissioned over 450 works. In his 55th anniversary season, Boudreau will introduce thirteen new works, emphasizing the AWSO’s longstanding ties to our neighbors in the Americas by including four compositions from Latin American composers, as well as works from Latvian, Estonian, Japanese and French composers.
French composer Karol Beffa has written a brilliant work called “Burning Bright” for wind orchestra, while the Japanese Kaoru Wada features the flute family in his new composition. AWSO harpist Chen-Yu Huang will be featured in Mexican composer Enrique Santos’ “Concertino for Harp and Winds.”
At the end of the evening AWSO audiences are electrified by one or the other of two tour de force works for percussion and wind orchestra. Cuban composer Leo Brouwer’s “Cancion de Gesta” takes the audience on an epic voyage of sound and rhythm; while Japanese Kaoru Wada’s “Three Fragments” develops and mounts into a stunning climax using Japanese traditional instruments.
All in all, a Wind Symphony performance is an unforgettable experience for the whole family!
Newspaper & Magazine Articles:
Tours: 2009
American Wind Symphony Orchestra by the Numbers
The Goderich Signal Star
http://www.goderichsignalstar.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=1685313
Large crowd packs Cape Girardeau riverfront for American Wind Symphony’s final concert
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
By Charles Francis ~ Southeast Missourian
http://www.semissourian.com/story/1563266.html
http://www.semissourian.com/gallery/4390/
Community Involvement Projects:
http://pittsburgh.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2009/05/25/story9.html
Point Counterpoint II:
Title: Kahn Music Barge Sets Sail — For Now
Link: http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2008/06/
kahn_music_barg.php
Title: Aboard The Point Counterpoint II
Link: http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2007/06/
the_boats_of_su.php