Transformations
Conservatorium Wind Orchestra
Peter Morris, Conductor
CONSERVATORIUM THEATRE
Friday 31 March, 7.30 pm
In collaboration with guests from Young Conservatorium, conducted by Stefanie Smith
PROGRAM
Young Conservatorium
Wind Orchestra
Stefanie Smith, Conductor
Gustav Holst - Second Suite in F
Michael Gandolfi - Vientos y Tangos
Conservatorium
Wind Orchestra
Peter Morris, Conductor
Johann De Meij - Extreme Makeover: Metamorphoses on a Theme by Tchaikovsky
INTERVAL (20MIN)
Combined Orchestras
Richard Wagner (arr. Cailliet) -
Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral (from ‘Lohengrin’)
Bill Whelan (arr. De Meij) - Highlights from Riverdance
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PROGRAM NOTES
Second Suite in F
Gustav Holst’s Suite in F for military band, is a landmark composition that revolutionised the wind band repertoire. Written in 1911, the suite consists of four movements that draw inspiration from English folk songs and dances. The “March,”utilises the folk tunes, Swansea Town, Claudy Banks and a morris dance - Glorishears. The second movement, “Song Without Words, I’ll Love My Love” is contrasted by the rhythmic scherzo, “Song of the Blacksmith”. In the final movement, “Fantasia on the Dargason,” based on the Dargason dance, Holst cleverly weaves Greensleeves into the Fantasia. Holst’s Suite in F transformed the wind band repertoire by elevating the status of the ensemble from a mere provider of entertainment to a serious artistic medium. Through his use of inventive orchestrations, complex harmonies, and a wide range of expressive moods, Holst demonstrated the full potential of the wind band as a vehicle for artistic expression.
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PROGRAM NOTES
Vientos y Tangos
Vientos y Tangos (Winds and Tangos) was commissioned
The Frank L. Battisti 70th Birthday Commission Project and is dedicated to Frank Battisti in recognition of his immense contributions to the advancement of concert wind literature. It was Mr. Battisti’s specific request that I write a tango for wind ensemble. In preparation for this piece, Gandolfi states, “I devoted several months to the study and transcription of tangos from the early style of Juan D’arienzo and the “Tango Nievo” style of Astor Piazzolla to the current trend of “Disco/ Techno Tango,” among others. After immersing myself in this listening experience, I simply allowed the most salient features of these various tango to inform the direction of my work. The dynamic contour and the various instrumental combinations that I employ in the piece are all inspired by the traditional sounds of the bandoneon, violin, piano, and contrabass.” Be prepared to pop on your dancing shoes.
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PROGRAM NOTES
Extreme Makeover
One of Tchaikovsky’s best-known melodies isn’t found in the Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Symphony Pathetique, 1812 Overture or any other of his celebrated symphonies, concertos, or ballets. It is the poignant theme of the second movement (Andante Cantabile) of his first ever string quartet, which brought War and Peace novelist Leo Tolstoy to tears upon hearing it for the first time. Interestingly, the young Tchaikovsky discovered the melody when visiting his sister in Ukraine, overhearing a gardener singing it while working. In 2004, master Dutch orchestrator and composer Johan de Meij decided to use the melody as source material for a major new work. After simply and beautifully presenting the original theme with a saxophone quartet, De Meij begins to fragment the melody into two and four note motifs, then develops and re-creates it in the wildest variety of orchestrations. Enjoy this epic adventure of metamorphoses, as we give Tchaikovsky an Extreme Makeover.
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PROGRAM NOTES
Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral (from ‘Lohengrin’)
In the mid 1800s, the heroes and villains of opera were the equivalent of today’s superheroes, avengers and mythical films. In fact, the Lord of the Rings franchise is dangerously similar to Wagner’s Ring Cycle of operas. Richard Wagner based his third opera on the story of Lohengrin, the mysterious knight (in shining armor), the Keeper of the Holy Grail, who comes to Antwerp, Belgium, in disguise, to rescue its inhabitants from barbaric invaders under the condition that the duchess (Elsa) marries him. Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral, underscores Elsa’s long and anxious procession to her wedding, after which audiences would hear Wagner’s famous Bridal Chorus.
Highlights from Riverdance
The premiere of Riverdance took place on April 30, 1994, during a seven-minute pause in the Eurovision Song Contest at the Point Theatre, Dublin. Thanks to 10,000 performances on four continents, TV audiences in the millions and sales of CDs and videos by the bucket-load, Riverdance has since become one of the most successful shows on Earth. As the second collaboration between Bill Whelan and Johan de Meij, Riverdance is a thrilling and captivating work that captures the energy and spirit of traditional Irish dance music. Commissioned in 1995 by the Dutch National Championships for Wind Orchestras, the medley includes Cloudsong, Firedance, Lift the Wings, Dance of the River Woman, and Riverdance.
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ARTISTS
Professor Peter Morris
Professor Peter Morris is Deputy Director (Engagement) of the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, in addition to being Head of Ensembles and leading the orchestral conducting program. He is the resident conductor of the Conservatorium Symphony Orchestra, Wind Orchestra and Musical Theatre pit orchestras. Prior to immigrating to Australia in 2002, Peter performed in the US and internationally on trumpet and as a conductor in a wide variety of genres. Peter completed his doctoral studies in conducting at UCLA and has held teaching positions at American universities in California, Texas and Colorado. Over the past 20 years in Australia, he has complemented his academic work with professional conducting activity in largescale cultural projects and recording sessions for local film and TV. He conducted the 2021-22 Brisbane seasons of Love Actually in Concert, and launched a new touring Australian stadium show, Classic Rock Live in 2022 with the Queensland Symphony Orchestra. Peter is an advocate for commissioning new works and re-imagining existing musical structures and has an enthusiasm for exploring exciting collaborations to create performances that matter.
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ARTISTS
Stefanie Smith
Stefanie Smith is a freelance conductor and educator based in Brisbane where she works regularly with Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Brisbane Philharmonic Orchestra, Brisbane Symphony Orchestra and other ensembles across the state. Stefanie has acted as assistant conductor for the Opera Beatrice and Benedict and as a sessional academic at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University where she assists with conducting duties with the Symphony Orchestra and Wind Orchestra and teaches the undergraduate conducting courses. She is the founder and conductor of the ensemble Consorte Eclettica, which supports emerging local artists in South-East Queensland, premiering and performing chamber orchestra works in collaboration with other art forms. Stefanie has participated in the Australian Conducting Academy with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra and Johannes Fritzsch as well as conducting masterclasses at the London Master Classes Conducting Course, with members of the Royal Northern College of Music. She is also the Young Conservatorium Ensemble Coordinator.
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ARTISTS
Queensland Conservatorium Wind Orchestra
The Conservatorium Wind Orchestra has enjoyed a long history of exciting and definitive performance, as one of Australia’s premier wind, brass and percussion ensembles. Under the leadership of Peter Morris, the ensemble continues to evolve within the ever-changing trajectory of this relatively new art form. The Conservatorium Wind Orchestra continually strives to set the benchmark for performance across the nation presenting a vast scope of repertoire from time honoured masterworks to contemporary works from across the globe and innovative new commissions from local Australian composers. This ensemble’s focus extends far beyond the walls of the Conservatorium, enriching and supporting the local community of composers, conductors, educators and school students. This development of new repertoire and focus on professional development for all who participate in this evolving art form continues to be an exciting pedagogical focus of the Wind Orchestra.
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ARTISTS
Young Conservatorium Wind Orchestra
As one of our premiere ensembles, the Young Conservatorium Wind Orchestra continues to drive the standard of high school wind ensembles in Australia. Under the direction of Stefanie Smith, the ensemble continues to grow musically, through the performance of masterworks, world premiers, exploring new repertoire including featured works by local composers, and integrating other art forms into concerts. A highlight of the 2022 concert season for The Young Conservatorium Wind Orchestra was a performance at the International Society for Music Education Conference. This ensemble continues to contribute to the broader community through participating regularly in workshops, professional development programs, assisting young composers to find their voice for this art form through composer days, and as guest ensemble at events in South-east Queensland. The opportunity to perform in concert with the Conservatorium Wind Orchestra has become a highlight of the concert season for the Young Conservatorium Wind Orchestra. We would also like to thank the many teachers who support our program as it continues to grow.
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ARTISTS
Queensland Conservatorium Wind Orchestra
Piccolo
Aaryn Wong*
Flute 1
Jenna Choi*
Bonnie Gibson
Neve Randall
Flute 2
Jennifer Pittock*
Nathan Smith
Keisha Neale
Oboe
Jade Wolter*
Liam Robinson
E-flat Clarinet
Hinata Nishimura*
Clarinet 1
Hamish Cassidy*
Thomas Cunningham
Angus Hall
Clarinet 2
Amy Kubler*
Liberty Prentice
Angel Stevens
Clarinet 3
Jan Rybka*
Bianca Cassiano
Bass Clarinet
Emily Beutel*
Belita Welsh
Contrabass Clarinet
Belita Welsh*
Bassoon
Madeleine
Nickelson
Jenica Hauber
Layni Cameron
Contrabassoon
Layni Cameron*
Harp
Jemma Telleman*
^ Concertmaster * Section Leader + Part Leader
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ARTISTS
Queensland Conservatorium Wind Orchestra
Piano
Oscar Matthews*
Horn
Jessica Piva*
Hannah Waterfall
Hannah McLellan
Lachlan Smith
Dylan Jones
Trumpet 1
Callum Heard*
Rachel Redlich
Trumpet 2
Nicholas Jones*
Ethan Kircher
Trumpet 3
Megan Barber*
Mikaela Gonzalez
Trombone 1
Jonah Nakagawa*
Trombone 2
Lauren Porteous*
Hannah Thomson
Bass Trombone
Nicholas Lord*
Tuba
Harriet Dummett*
Drew Ferguson
Madison Tilyard
Ryan Collier
Euphonium
Jacob Carter*
Timpani
Connor Dinneen*
Percussion
Dara Williams*
Jaymee Homeming
Brayden Jealous
Caitlin Hermann
Ally Quin
* Section Leader + Part Leader
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ARTISTS
Queensland Conservatorium Wind Orchestra
Soprano Saxophone
Wagner Issac Reed*
Alto Saxophone 1
De Meij
Issac Reed*
Wagner Ryan Park*
Alto Saxophone 2
De Meij
Claire Challender*
Wagner
Abbygail Holmes*
Tenor Saxophone
De Meij
Emily Booij*
Wagner
Nina Lane*
Baritone Saxophone
Rory Kelly*
Bass Saxophone
Wagner
Ryan Taylor
* Section Leader + Part Leader
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ARTISTS
Young Conservatorium Wind Orchestra
Piccolo
Grace Jin*
Flute
Thomas Mallet*
Jaehee Lee
Desiree Fernandes
Ava Barber
Aurora Salmon
Evie Coy
Sophie Kirk
Rianna McCool
Oboe
Elliott Cardinal*
Liam Bourke
Cor Anglais
Elliot Cardinal*
^ Concertmaster
* Section Leader + Part Leader = CWO augmenting player
Bassoon
Val Yip*
Charlie Xu
Eb Soprano Clarinet
Hannah Schwantes*
Clarinet
Bianca Cassiano^*
Yilin Zeng
Paris Hill
Katrina Wan+
Ashleigh
Rasenberger
Emma Casson
Liora Vunderink
Henry Geise+
Amy Kubler=
Jan Rybka=
Eb Alto Clarinet
Bridie Brunckhorst*
Bass Clarinet
Jethro Caitens*
Bridie Brunckhorst
Soprano Saxophone
Angus Bryer*
Alto Saxophone
Anthan Mai*
Mateo Sakugawa
Liam Ward
Tenor Saxophone
Harmony Parker*
Lucas Van Stam
Baritone Saxophone
Edith Barber*
Finn Harper-Giles
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ARTISTS
Young Conservatorium Wind Orchestra
Trumpet
Andrew Schwantes*
Brandon Ivers*
Mitchell Stewart
Joseph Rorke+
Benjamin Campbell
Robert Coles+
Esther Kotzur
Lily Coy
French Horn
Flynn Gardiner*
Ava Bilton
Ruby Flowers
Jacob Duncan
Sophie Brunckhorst
Grace Freeman
Angus Long
* Section Leader + Part Leader
Trombone
Dana Day*
Daniel Berry-Porter
Samuel Macdonald
Bass Trombone
Lilly O’Connell*
Euphonium
Isabella Bartley*
Claire Darmadjaja
Bethany Kotzur
Tuba
Joshua Sephton*
Nick Ironside
Cadence Ivers
Percussion
Sana Rane*
Sarah Darmadjaja*
Grant Dolbel
Thomas Quelhurst
Luciana Flowers
Caelen Quint
Ewan Perkins
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SPECIAL THANKS
Special thanks to Queensland Conservatorium supporters and donors.
Philanthropy plays a vital role at Queensland Conservatorium. Only through your support can our students experience valuable learning opportunities through productions such as this one. To invest in the future of music and performance in Queensland, contact us on +61 (0)7 5552 7218 or email giving@griffith.edu.au.
Queensland Conservatorium thanks our generous donors and supporters. We would like to acknowledge our instrument bank donors supporting the students in tonight’s performance.
Make a donation
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GRIFFITH UNIVERSITY
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Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we work, and pays respect to the Elders past, present and emerging.
Correct at time of publication.
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