KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 5, 2016

In February 2016, the School of Music’s Wind Ensemble performed at the Southern Division College Band Directors National Conference Convention in Charleston, South Carolina. The Ensemble worked with Pulitzer Prize winning composer, Joseph Schwantner and a new, young composer from the University of Texas at Austin, Andrew Boss.

The Ensemble was also chosen among eight university wind ensembles from the Southeast United States to perform at this prestigious Conference at the Gaillard Concert Hall in downtown Charleston, South Carolina.  In addition, they were selected to perform as a residence ensemble for a conducting session for the participants of the Conference.

Director of Bands and Professor of Music, Dr. David Kehler, enjoyed seeing his students work with these composers (Schwantner being a Pulitzer Prize winner).

“To have one of the world’s most renowned and important living composers, along with a young composer just starting his career, sharing their talents and energy with our students was wonderful. We got to see how those guys interact together and with the students.  The students were magnificent and represented Kennesaw State University well.”

Schwantner previously served as an in-residence composer for the Chicago Symphony and the New York Philharmonic as well as a faculty member at the Eastman School of Music.  KSU music students got the chance to work with Schwantner, who was in-residence at KSU’s School of Music to prepare and premier his piece Luminosity, “Concerto for Wind Ensemble” at the CBDNA Conference in Charleston.

The Ensemble also premiered Andrew Boss’s piece, entitled Tetelestai, “A Symphony for Wind Ensemble.”  Boss is a Texas composer and a recruitment fellow at the University of Texas at Austin.

Associate Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at KSU, Dr. Debra Traficante, was a guest conductor for the Wind Ensemble, conducting the students in Rocky Point Holiday, composed by Ron Nelson.  Traficante appreciates the opportunity students had to travel and work with Schwantner and Boss.

“It’s accurate to say that moments like this are truly once in a lifetime for all parties involved… I am thrilled for the ensemble members that they were granted this well-deserved opportunity, and humbled that I was able to witness and contribute to their growth through the process.”

In addition to the Southern Division CBDNA, the Wind Ensemble also performed at the John S. Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School in Augusta, GA and the Bobby Bailey and Family Performance Center on the KSU campus.