6 minute read
Symphonic’s last go
Orchestra gives final performance of the year
Coburn Palmer / Roundup
Woodwinds punctuated the silence and trombones added a sinister note as the music built to a crescendo in a rousing finish to a debacherous melody.
“I imagine it to be a couple of women who will add to the debauchery in ways other than wine,” said maestro Stephen Piazza.
In one of the final concerts at the Performing Arts Building (PAB) the Los Angeles Pierce Symphonic Winds played to a sold out crowd.
The LA Pierce Symphonic Winds is a community orchestra comprised of students, professionals and community members.
Anyone who can play well and is available to take the Monday night class is welcome to come and try out, according to Piazza.
“It’s a multidimensional group,” said clarinet player Allan Gilbert. “It’s not just we rehearse and play a concert and that’s it.”
Stephen Piazza transformed the theater, with stadium seating, into a private performance hall with his personal grace and charm as he gave a small speech before beginning each piece.
“I think its more personal than program notes,” said Piazza. “I believe in breaking down the wall between performer and audience.”
Orchestral music resounded from the walls as the 102 person ensemble finished their Bacchlavian piece described as a tribute the greek god Bacchus the god of debauchery.
Mike Armstrong, who has been playing with the orchestra for the past seven years, conducted a solo performance with accents by the orchestra.
“It’s always a lot of fun,” said Armstrong. “On the trips we get to hang out and get to know each other.”
The Symphonic Winds, now composed of 102 players, was first created in the Spring of 1983 as an evening class.
“An operation this big calls for a lot people with a lot of talents,” said Piazza.
Piazza also teaches several music and voice classes during the day.
“The numbers in the daytime choir have gone up tremendously and I think it’s because of that show,” said Piazza as he referred to the television show ‘Glee.’
Sunday’s performance was the last Symphonic Winds showing at the PAB until the new theater is finished. Until that day, plans have been made to perform at the new Performing Arts Building at CSUN.
Next up for the Symphonic Winds is the Pierce College graduation ceremony and the Sunset Dinner Serenade on June 12. Then the Winds will fly to Europe to perform in Paris and Luxemborg before returning to play a Fourth of July concert in the Warner Center.
“Music is about getting together with other people and creating music on the spot,” said David McKeever, a professional composer and Euphonium player from Ohio who now plays with the Symphonic Winds.
Young and old vocalists perform ‘Love and All That Jazz’
Songs emulating feelings of love filled the Performing Arts Center on Thursday night during a “Love and All That Jazz” concert presented by the Pierce College Choir, Encore Singers and Women’s Ensemble.
The concert was the first and last performed by the vocal groups for the spring semester.
The show began with director Cathryn Tortell introducing the three musical groups, kicking the night off with the words, “We are jazzed that you are here.”
All 350 seats taken up by students, children, parents and family members close to those taking stage.
Tortell sported a black t-shirt given to her in past semesters that read, “look like the music,” which she shared with only those on stage, leaving the audience in wonder as to why the choir burst in to laughter before the show began.
“It is our responsibility to communicate that text [song lyrics] to the audience,” said Tortell.
Like the audience, the stage was filled to capacity with the three various instrumental groups composed of singers of all ages.
The Encore Singers are a newer group, according to Tortell.
The group is made up of older, enthusiastic singers who simply have more experience in music, life and love.
“I just know they’re over 30 [years-old],” said Tortell. “I have learned so much from them about life, about love, having a good time and about enjoying the moment.“
The Encore group has been together for three semesters and is a part of the larger Pierce College Encore group associated with the campus, a program designed specifically for older adults in our community.
“My life has become richer because of them,” said Tortell.
The concert included 15 pieces, featuring five that were performed by soloists. The soloists chose their songs according to the evening’s theme: love.
One soloist, 20-year-old Sandra Saad, sang “Why don’t you do right?” a song that is known for also being sung by Jessica Rabbit in ‘Who Framed Rodger Rabbit?”
Saad has been singing her whole life. She joined the Pierce College Choir this semester, but she will most likely not be continuing in the fall.
“The live performance is totally worth it,” said Saad, a sophomore theatre major.
Throughout the performance, several students were acknowledged for their transfer, graduation and departure from Pierce College following this semester.
In total, eight students are graduating from the music department, according to Tortell, with four from her group alone. Students will be heading on to UC Berkeley, Cal Arts, San Jose State and CSUN.
“I’m going to miss the whole campus,” said Dutstin Rabi, a 20-year-old music major who is transferring to UC Berkeley in the fall. “I hope Berkeley can match the standards [set by Pierce].”
More than half of the Pierce College Choir have had no experience in a choral group on stage prior to Thursday night.
“I am so proud; I thought the concert went really well,” said Tortell. “Was it perfect? Of course not, but that’s what we strive for.”
Several of the choir members don’t read sheet music.
The teamwork involved in being a part of a choir is totally different than being on a sports team, according to Tortell. She can’t just bench one “player” for another if they aren’t cutting it.
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This spring featured five sports (baseball, men’s volleyball, softball, swimming / diving, and tennis) that gave it their all for their team, and for their school. With all of the standouts that grace the Pierce College cam- pus and don the Brahma red, white and black uniforms, the Roundup has put together its Spring Semester Awards for the various top performers and performances of the 2011 spring season.
