Taylor’s wind ensemble will perform for a multi-generational audience over Heritage Weekend on April 25 at 4 p.m. They hope to pack Rediger Chapel Auditorium with an audience of grandparents and students to listen to their lively pieces.
Professor of Music Christopher Bade, who conducts Taylor’s wind ensemble, said he’s excited to see his students perform.
“We anticipate an audience of great receptivity to the music itself, but more importantly to the students in the ensemble,” he said. “We hope that parents and grandparents and fellow TU students will flock to the concert to celebrate community and a life in the aArts that enriches.”
Bade sees the performance as a joyful celebration of art and community.
While the ensemble originally celebrated a patriotic theme, this focus is shifting, he said. This means pieces initially chosen for the concert may not be presented in the actual concert.
Bade said the ensemble will feature challenging pieces including Julie Giroux’s “Khan” and Charles Ives’ “Variations on ‘America,’” though not all song selections are narrowed down yet.
Alterations to the program and song selections present difficulties for the musicians, Bade said.
Despite these challenges, he’s excited to see the result of his players’ hard work.
“I am honored to lead the Wind Ensemble,” he said. “Making music with vibrant young people who love the Lord is a privilege. Certainly, I am proud of their efforts.”
Bade said music is important because it glorifies God. He hopes the ensemble’s performance honors God and touches audience members.
Bethany Atanus, Bade’s stage manager, agreed. Atanus is a sophomore musical performance major who spends about 20 hours each week setting up and tearing down for wind and orchestra practices. She also plays the flute for Taylor’s wind ensemble.
Playing music glorifies God because it obeys the Bible’s command to make a joyful noise to God with instruments, Atanus said. Musical performance is giving the talent and ability God gave us back to him.
Atanus said the wind ensemble is improving timing pertaining to when each instrument group should start playing. She said often, groups start playing at the wrong time because it sounds like the appropriate time to start playing.
“It needs to sound wrong to sound right in the end,” Atanus said. “It's so hard for us to just play it when we're supposed to, because us as musicians want to just all play it together instead of coming when it sounds wrong, but really it isn't.”
Atanus is confident the wind percussion’s hard work will produce beautiful music like it has in the past. Many people approach Atanus after concerts when she’s tearing down, saying the music powerfully moved them.
Atanus thinks live music performances are important. She said live music touches souls and emotions in ways recorded music can’t.
She compared emotional responses she receives after live music performances to descriptions people use for songs they like on Spotify. She said rather than powerful imagery, they’ll say the song was “nice.” Atanus finds this sad, and it shows that the listener didn't fully appreciate the music, she said.
Atanus is thrilled to bring the live music experience to Taylor. She said the audience should expect the fast-paced chaos of energetic music without breaks or slow parts.
Elisha Baker, a music education junior who plays the flute for Taylor’s wind ensemble, agreed that the music is lively. She’s excited to play Julie Giroux’s “Khan.”
Baker said practicing difficult music can be stressful. However, she said improvement can’t happen without stress. She enjoys playing for the wind ensemble.
Music is important because it communicates powerful messages to audiences. Connected songs can tell a story, even if they aren’t related. Music also teaches life lessons, especially to middle and high schoolers, Baker said. It enforces life skills like teamwork and listening to others.
Baker, like Atanus and Bade, is excited for Taylor’s wind ensemble performance. She can’t wait to showcase the hard work she and her fellow musicians poured into the music.
“I hope you enjoy the show,” she said. “We’ve been working really hard on it.”
