YC Orchestra and Band Symphony Wows Crowd
Whenever an outsider can witness a single person excelling, it is wonderful. When an outsider watches (and listens) to an entire group of people excel, it becomes spectacular. As far as classical music goes, I am certainly an outsider. But if Dr. Roy Breiling is conducting with Yavapai College's symphony orchestra and band, make sure you're ready to be initiated to the inner circle of classical symphony.
Dr. Breiling, YC's Director of Instrumental Activities, is a native of Wisconsin with a Doctor of Musical Conducting from the University of Arizona. A seasoned conductor and professor, the good doctor commands his musicians with grace and charm. And, if the enthusiastic applause is any indicator, he inspires similar feelings from his audience.
The concert began with the Introduction to Act III from Richard Wagner's opera Lohengrin, based on popular medieval legends of the Swan Knight. Pleasantly and expertly played, the orchestra brought the great composition to life. The trend continued with Swan Lake, a ballet made in 1877 by Peter Tschaikowsky. From the woodwinds in back to the violins, the orchestra re-created the sounds of Teutonic myth. In a similar fashion the orchestra played selected themes from Scheherazade and the Hungarian Dance No. 6. Instantly the audience was transported to the beauty and tragedy of bygone eras.
When the orchestra had finished Scheherazade, a representative from Yavapai's Friends of Music, announcing that they had raised $6,000 to assist 6 financially strained and exceptionally gifted students. Funds were raised by requesting attendees to donate "pocket change" into colored tubs to provide scholarships. Students Rachel Logan, Andrea Moore, Steve Peek, Tucker Reed, Dakota Rutt and Zachary Tighe were given scholarships to provide for private lessons and tuition. "We're very pleased with the pocket change program." Dr. Beiling said.
Following an intermission, the Symphonic Band took the place of the Orchestra on stage. Afterwords, I asked musicians Ryan Sirakis and Matt McNewell, who also perform in the band Zenith, the difference between the two. "The strings (of the Orchestra) have to work harder to be synchronized...and powerful." Matt explained. "The Band has to work harder to be mellow." "[There's] always pressure to do better then the strings" he laughed.
After the show I met with Rachel Logan, one of the scholarship winners, and her friend Kirsten Huff, both of whom perform in the Orchestra and Band. When asked what it was like doing double performance, Rachel said "[They're] different sounds." She also mentioned that her perception changes during performances, as the woodwinds switch places from the back to the front. She also explained the secret of their success. "We work really hard." Jeff Logan, her father, agreed. "[They're] awesome. They do a very good job."
Beginning with the Algona Overture, dedicated to the town of Algona, U.S.A., the Band performed songs mostly from American and, in contrast to the orchestra, living composers, with the exception of Percy Aldridge Grainger and The Lambs March by John Philip Sousa. One can almost hear Professor Harold Hill in the background. Dr. Beiling directed the Band as masterfully as the Orchestra, lifting the audience into the skies of WWII with James Curnow's Where Never Lark or Eagle Flew. After thanking the audience for being there and pointing out some upcoming events, the Band finished with Sousa. As they exited to tumultuous applause, they left their listeners in the green fields with the spring lambs.
"It's been a pleasure performing for you." Dr Beiling said. And it was a pleasure listening. Who can ask for more?