31st Annual Student Research Conference
A 21st Century Exploration of the Woodwind Choir as a Compositional Medium
Timothy M. Clasby♦* and Kyle D. Rieger
Dr. Jay Bulen and Dr. Curran Prendergast, Faculty Mentors
The woodwind family can constitute a self-supporting ensemble, much like the brass choir. The growth and development of the wind symphony as a medium has furnished the necessary number of performers needed for a woodwind ensemble tradition to take root. An "improved artistic climate" has created an environment where composers can explore the woodwind choir with the same artistic conviction of early band pioneers such as Paul Hindemith and Vincent Persichetti. Unfortunately, traditional orchestration techniques have resulted in compositions that don't play to the idiomatic tendencies of the instruments. In addition, the woodwind choir depends on a large presence of what the wind band medium would consider "auxilary" instruments. In spite of these difficulties, the woodwind choir offers a rich timbral palette from which composers can, and should be, inspired to take advantage of. Water Music exemplifies the artistic capabilities of the woodwind choir as a serious medium.
Keywords: Woodwind Choir, Woodwind, Ensemble, Performance, Composition, Music, Large Ensemble
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Performance Art
Session: 412-1
Location: OP Performance Hall
Time: 3:00
♦ Indicates Truman Graduate Student