Ithaca College Concert Band

Benjamin Rochford, conductor

Ithaca College Campus Band

Aaron Burgess, graduate conductor
Gregory Harris, graduate conductor

Ford Hall
Thursday, March 1st, 2018
8:15 pm
Ithaca College Campus Band

Zacatecas Genaro Codina

(1852-1901)
arr. Andrew Glover
4'

Courtly Airs and Dances Ron Nelson

(b. 1929)
12'

Air for Band Frank Erickson

(1923-1996)
4'

Selections from Chicago John Kander

(b. 1927)
arr. Ted Ricketts
5'

Ithaca College Concert Band

Transcendent Journey Rossano Galante

(b. 1967)
6'

Lullaby for Natalie John Corigliano

(b. 1938)
arr. Peter Stanley Martin
5'

Puszta: Four Gipsy Dances Jan Van der Roost

I. Andante Moderato (b. 1956)
II. Tranquillo 12'
III. Allegro
IV. Marcato

Sol Y Sombra George Gates

(b. 1920)
4'
Notes on the Program

Zacatecas, Mexican March, was composed about 1891 and premiered by the

Municipal Band of Zacatecas in October 1893. The band was conducted by Codina’s
brother-in-law, Fernando Villalpando, and the concert was presented at the city’s Plaza
de Armas. The march was dedicated to Gen. Jesus Arechiga, the governor of the state. 
The composition resulted from a number of meetings with other musicians in
Villalpando’s home. The conductor decided to sponsor a march composition contest
and also to submit his own entry. Both Codina (using his faithful harp) and Villalpando
worked tirelessly on their manuscripts throughout the time period. Even though
Vilialpando’s march was described as “beautiful” by the other musicians, Codina won
the contest. His brother-in-law exhibited his good sportsmanship not only by premiering
the work, but also by assisting with the arrangement. After A. Wagner y Levien
published the march in 1893, it was performed by the largest bands in the cities as well
as by every conceivable type of ensemble in the villages. Zacatecas has become
Mexico’s “second national anthem” (after Mexicanos, al grito de guerra) (Program
Notes for Band)

Courtly Airs and Dances is a suite of Renaissance dances which were characteristic
to five European countries during the 1500s. Three of the dances (Basse Dance,
Pavane, and Allemande) are meant to emulate the music of Claude Gervaise by
drawing on the style of his music as well as the characteristics of other compositions
from that period. The festival opens with a fanfare-like Intrada followed by the Basse
Danse (France), Pavane (England), Saltarello (Italy), Sarabande (Spain), and Allemande
(Germany). The work was commissioned by the Hill Country Middle School Band from
Austin, Texas, Cheryl Floyd, director. (Program note by Ron Nelson)

One of the stronger tendencies of twentieth century music has been a return to certain
aspects of music of the baroque and classic periods. Compositions falling into this
category are referred to as "neo classic." Air for Band is such a piece. The form
(binary) was quite common in the baroque period and the melody and harmonies were
strongly influenced by the works of Bach. Frank Erickson favored simple and
harmonically uncomplicated ideas that were playable, interesting and that still have a
musically worthwhile idea. The term Air was adapted from the term Aria. It is used to
describe a tuneful melody in a vocal or instrumental line. Traditionally such a vocal line
would be strophic, syllabic, and homo-phonic. The French also had a more serious
version of this term known as Air de cour, or court air. This was a poem-like melody
that had extensive phrasing. This piece stays true to its name with its very tuneful
melody carried primarily in the clarinets. (Program note from score
and smallbandlit.wikispaces.com)

Music from this academy award-winning movie harkens back to the early jazz age and
raucous life style of gangster-era Chicago. This well-scored arrangement opens with a
bluesy trumpet solo and includes feature spots for all sections of the band as it winds
through the hits from the show. Selections from Chicago includes: And All That Jazz;
Cell Block Tango; Roxie and They Both Reached for the Gun. (Program note by
publisher)

With the first sounds of Transcendent Journey, Galante wanted to create a big,
powerful, exhilarating chord that would grab the listener right away. This introduction is
the beginning of our “journey” and gives a melodic hint, stated by horns, to the heroic
main theme. A contrasting B section is introduced by Piccolo and Oboe and represents
a light relaxed feeling of joy. The main theme returns in the final section in a face
paced version of the introduction to convey exhilaration and achievement. We finally
complete our “journey” with a slower, grand statement of the main theme bringing the
“transcendent journey” to an end. (Program note by Rossano Galante)

John Corigliano wrote Lullaby for Natalie after a request from Violinist Anne Akiko
Meyer’s husband to write a piece in their daughter’s honor. The world premiere of
Lullaby for Natalie  was given by Anne Akiko Meyers, violin, and Reiko Uchida, piano,
on January 30, 2011. A version of the piece was subsequently arraigned for both
orchestra and concert band. The concert band adaptation, arraigned by Peter Stanley
Martin, was first performed on December 2, 2012 by the West Chester University Wind
Ensemble. (Program note from score)

In composing Puszta, Jan Van der Roost wrote folk dances related to Slavonic folk
music. Its character and sounds are comparable to the Hungarian and Slavonic dances
by Brahms and Dvorak and to the Hungarian Rhapsodies by Liszt. All the melodies,
however, are newly composed, not adapted from existing dances. (Program note by Jan
Van der Roost)

Bullfighting has a long tradition that still exists in most areas of Spain and Portugal.
Many bullfights are showcased in dozens of historic arenas throughout Spain, France,
and Latin America. Sol Y Sombra (Sun or Shade) is a reference to the custom of
selling bullfight tickets on the sunny or shady side of the arena. (Program note from
score)

Ithaca College Campus Band Personnel

Flute Alto Saxophone French Horn

Kayla Albertson Teddy Byrne Gillian Basedow
Eliana Berger Claire Conklin Caeli Carroll
Rachel Cory Caitlin Mallon Megan Holman
Erin Heilveil Augustus Thornton Sarah Lamoureux
Amanda Swatling Mark Melchionna
Jaclyn Yoselevich Tenor Saxophone Zoe Mendrysa 
Carly Spreitzer
Oboe Trombone
Abigail Ferri Baritone Keilah Figueroa
Meagan Priest Saxophone Matthew Flores
Mina Hubert Julia Setzler
Clarinet Ryan Shields
Desiree Cochran Trumpet Alec Targett
Amy Kruzan Justin Albinder
Brittany Mechler Tana Barajas Euphonium
Gillian Rainville Anthony Carl Cara Landers
Maya Rodgers Allison Kelley
Kristina Shanton Brigid Long Tuba
Leandra Stirling Ryan Mitchell Daniel Rogers
Anderson Ozello
Bassoon Marc Wheater Percussion
Bryan Filetto Kelsey Beyer
Benjamin  Tyler Bilodeau
     Futterman
Ithaca College Concert Band Personnel

Piccolo Alto Saxophone Trombone

Catherine Chiara Marcario Ben Sherman
Sangiovanni Greg Walerski Sean Stouffer
Julianna Bourgeois
Flute Tenor Saxophone Hunter Burnett
Laurel Albinder Frank Iovine Ethan King
Dana Herbert Amanda Swatling    Henry Gelperin
Catherine           
Sangiovanni Bass Trombone
Jeremy Werner Baritone Steven Obetz 
Saxophone
Oboe Rachel Moody Euphonium
Steven Bluestein Jonathan Rainous
Kathleen Cadorette Trumpet
Courtney Webster Jason Bennet String Bass
Giulia Zurlo Hayden Emani Barber 
Bustamante
Clarinet Thomas Iandolo Piano
Skylar Berkley Andrew Nolish Anand Seshadri 
Rebecca Butler Chris Pitcher
Tessa Perchansky Austin Rannestad Harp
Ciara Solby Jen Rupert Samantha Turley 
Emma Yusko Jason Springer
Alex Stuart  Timpani
Bass Clarinet Kelsey Bocharski
Morgan Volk French Horn
Caeli Carroll Percussion
Bassoon Conor Kelly Jake Staffin
Anna Bornstein Kayla Shuster Sirena Chargualaf
Victoria Voorhees Kathryn Imes
Nicholas Thompson 

Conductors

Benjamin Rochford joined the Ithaca College School of Music in 2016 and currently
serves as the Associate Director of Bands. At IC, Rochford conducts the Wind
Symphony and Concert Band and teaches courses in instrumental conducting and
brass pedagogy. Prior to his appointment at Ithaca College, Mr. Rochford was a
Doctoral Conducting Associate and PhD candidate at the University of Florida and also
served as Director of Bands at the Valley Grove School District in Franklin,
Pennsylvania. While at the University of Florida, his responsibilities included directing
the UF Concert Band, assisting with the athletic bands, and teaching courses in
conducting, music education, jazz improvisation, jazz history, and philosophy. In
addition, Mr. Rochford managed marketing and promotional materials for the band
department and assisted with the UF Wind Symphony and Jazz Band.

Mr. Rochford completed a bachelors degree in Music Education from Mansfield

University of Pennsylvania and a Masters degree in Instrumental Conducting from
Youngstown State University in Ohio. Mr. Rochford's primary conducting influences
include Dr. David Waybright, Dr. Stephen Gage, Dr. Adam Brennan, and Dr. Nathan
Rinnert. Mr. Rochford has also participated in conducting symposiums with Ray Cramer,
Tom Leslie, Robert Garofalo, and Ed Lisk, Rodney Dorsey and participated in Beethoven
conducting master classes with Svilen Simeonov, director of the Sofia Sinfonietta in
Bulgaria. He recently was a participant in a conducting presentation by Craig Kirchhoff
at the South Eastern CBDNA conference in Charleston, SC. 

Mr. Rochford served as Director of Bands at the Valley Grove School District in
Pennsylvania where he was responsible for overseeing the entire 5-12 instrumental
music program. At Valley Grove, Mr. Rochford directed the district's athletic bands, jazz
combo, and elementary, middle, and high school bands. He hosted and managed the
PMEA District III Jazz Festival in 2012. He has also given presentation in Pennsylvania,
New York, and Florida on a variety of topics including jazz improvisation, rehearsal
techniques, student motivation, and authentic student self assessment within the
paradigm of Harvard Project Zero and Arts PROPEL. 

Mr. Rochford is an active free lance trumpet player and has performed with the Erie
Philharmonic, Venango Chamber Orchestra, Franklin Silver Cornet Band, and various
jazz groups. Mr. Rochford has toured across the United States with wind bands and has
performed at Carnegie Hall. Recently, he performed with he American Chamber Winds
throughout Italy and Switzerland.  He has also performed with a number of notable jazz
musicians including Bobby Shew, Wycliffe Gordon, Dennis DiBlasio, George Rabbi,
Michael Davis, Dave Pietro, Ingrid Jensen, Ryan Kisor, and Chris Vidala.

Mr. Rochford's professional affiliations include the National Association for Music
Education, National Education Association, Florida Music Education Association, Florida
Bandmasters Association, New York State School Music Education Association, New
York State Band Directors Association, Jazz Education Network, and the International
Trumpet Guild. He was elected into the Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society in 2012.

Aaron S. Burgess is a Master of Music in wind conducting candidate at Ithaca College

in Ithaca, NY where he is a graduate assistant to the director of bands, assistant
conductor of the Ithaca College Wind Ensemble and conductor of the Ithaca College
Campus Band and Trombone Troupe. He is a 2002 graduate of the University of
Connecticut and holds dual degrees in music and education. Burgess began his tenure
as assistant conductor of the Ithaca Community Orchestra in the summer of 2017. In
the spring of 2016, he was appointed lecturer of music and conductor of the Ithaca
College Symphonic Band, one of the major ensembles in the school of music. From
2010 until 2015, he served as Director of Bands at Edwin O. Smith High School in
Storrs, Connecticut where he conducted the wind ensemble and symphonic band,
directed the jazz program, coached chamber music and taught music theory, aural
skills, and music appreciation.  In 2014, he was appointed an adjunct faculty member in
the Department of Music at the University of Connecticut where he taught woodwind
methods and guest lectured on topics pertaining to secondary instrumental music
education. From 2007 until 2010, he was director of bands at Rocky Hill High School,
Myrtle Stevens Elementary School, and West Hill Elementary School, in Rocky Hill,
Connecticut where his duties included teaching beginning instrumental lessons and
ensembles plus directing the high school symphonic band, jazz ensemble, and
competition marching band.

During the summers of 2008 and 2009, he served as music director and conductor of
the Connecticut Wind Ensemble, a wind band comprised of music school students and
professional musicians.  His recent conducting activities include appearances with the
Bones East Trombone Choir, the West Liberty University Tri-State Honor Band in West
Virginia, the Ithaca College Concert Band, the Middletown (CT) Symphonic Band, and
the CT Eastern Region Middle School Festival Concert Band. As a conductor, Burgess
has collaborated with numerous artists and composers including Timothy Smith of the
Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Jess Langston Turner, Eric Ewazen, Lewis J. Buckley,
Kenneth Fuchs, Joshua Oxford, alto saxophonist Greg Case of the U.S. Coast Guard
Band, trumpeter Louis Hanzlik of the American Brass Quintet, and Flutist Barbara
Hopkins of the Hartford (CT) Symphony Orchestra. In 2016, he conducted the
consortium premiere at Ithaca College of Rob Deemer’s work titled Iron, Steel, Rust for
trombone soloist and trombone choir and in the spring of 2015, he commissioned and
conducted the world premiere of Jess Langston Turner’s You’ll Come Matilda…Endlessly
Waltzing, premiered by the Edwin O. Smith High School Wind Ensemble.

Burgess has served as a member of the Student Affairs Commission for the Connecticut
Music Educators Association, co-chairman of the Connecticut All-State Ensemble
Festival, co-chairman of the CT Eastern Region High School Festival Band and the CT
All-State Band, and was CT Eastern Region Festival chairman from 2014 until 2015.
From 2007 until 2015 he served on the officer board of the Charter Oak Music Festival. 
He is currently studying conducting with Christopher Hughes, Director of Bands at
Ithaca College. As a euphonium player, his principal teachers were Danny Vinson and
James Jackson of the U.S. Coast Guard Band. Presently, he is engaged in research on
Walter Beeler, former conductor of the Ithaca College Concert Band and legendary
pedagogue of music education. 

Gregory F. Harris is a Master of Music in wind conducting candidate at Ithaca College

in Ithaca, NY where he is a graduate assistant to the director of bands, assistant
conductor of the Ithaca College Wind Ensemble and conductor of the Ithaca College
Campus Band.  He is a 2013 graduate of the University of Delaware where he received
a bachelor’s degree in music education.    From 2015-2017, Harris was the music
director at Narragansett Regional High School in Templeton, Massachusetts where he
led the concert band, choir, marching band, jazz band, pep band and percussion
ensemble.  During his tenure, the NRHS music ensembles performed at the Boston
St.Patrick’s Day Parade, Eastern States Exposition and numerous Massachusetts
Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association (MICCA) festivals.  Additional
responsibilities included teaching music theory I & II, beginning guitar and the history
of rock & roll.  From 2014-2015, he taught at Northbridge Middle School in Northbridge,
Massachusetts.  His duties included conducting the concert band, beginner band, group
lessons, teaching grades 5-8 general music and assisting Northbridge High School’s
marching and jazz bands.  From 2013-2014, Harris taught K-5th grade general music
and beginner band lessons at Central Elementary and Fred Douglass Elementary in
Seaford, DE.

From 2011-2013, Harris was the principal trumpet of the University of Delaware
Symphony Orchestra which included a performance in The Salt Cathedral of Zipaquirá,
Colombia.  During the summer of 2012, he was a hornline member of the Blue Stars
Drum and Bugle Corps from La Crosse, Wisconsin.  That Fall, he served as the Brass
Music Coordinator of the University of Delaware Fightin’ Blue Hen Marching Band.  
Other notable ensembles include the U of D Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensembles I & II,
Trumpet Ensemble and A Bit of Resolve Brass Quintet.  His primary trumpet teachers
were Laura Grass, Alan Hamant and Robert Skoniczin.

Harris’ professional affiliations include the National Association for Music Educators,
Massachusetts Music Educators Association, Phi Mu Alpha and the International
Trumpet Guild. 

IC Bands Ensemble Offerings

Ithaca College Bands Ensemble Offerings 

Ithaca College School of Music is proud to offer a full complement of large and chamber
ensembles. Ensembles hold auditions for membership in the new three-tiered model at
the beginning of the year and requirements are published well in advance. If you dream
of being a professional musician, just enjoy playing an instrument, or anywhere in
between, there is a place for you in IC BANDS! Included in the offerings are eight
distinctive ensembles. 
Wind Ensemble* (Dr. Christopher Hughes, conductor) 
The IC Wind Ensemble is a band of 50 highly qualified graduate and undergraduate
students, chosen by audition, and performs a varied repertoire of the highest quality
literature for winds. Members of the Wind Ensemble will also perform selections of
chamber winds repertoire each semester. The Wind Ensemble is dedicated to
professional level performance while fostering the musical growth of its members. 

Wind Symphony* (Mr. Benjamin Rochford, conductor) 

The IC Wind Symphony is a select ensemble of approximately 60 musicians, chosen by
audition. The Wind Symphony exists as a preparatory experience for the Wind
Ensemble and provides a challenging musical environment for skilled musicians by
performing repertoire that ranges from works for chamber winds, to standards of the
band literature, to brand-new works for the wind band medium. 

Concert Band* (Mr. Benjamin Rochford, conductor) 

The IC Concert Band is an ensemble for underclassmen to learn and upperclassmen to
lead the journey to professional level performance. This band provides instruction in
ensemble performance skills through quality repertoire that is fit for the student,
allowing her / him to have time to assimilate knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary
for advancement into the Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble or for any future musical
endeavors. 

Campus Band (Mr. Aaron Burgess & Mr. Gregory Harris, graduate wind conductors) 
The Campus Band is a non-auditioned ensemble designed to meet the needs of
students from all majors across campus. Music majors are encouraged to enroll while
performing on a secondary instrument. This ensemble provides an educational
experience and serves as an outlet for students who wish to remain musically active in
a less intense setting. The course will be administered by the Director of Bands and
conducted by the graduate conducting associates. 

* Requires an audition for membership

IC Bands Staff

Christopher Hughes, Director of Bands

Benjamin Rochford, Associate Director of Bands

Aaron Burgess, Graduate Assistant Conductor

Gregory Harris, Graduate Assistant Conductor

Margaret Tippett, Student Assistant

Becky Jordan, Manager, Library of Ensemble Music

Upcoming Events with the IC Bands

Ithaca College Wind Ensemble and Ithaca College Wind Symphony

Wednesday, March 7, 2018
8:15PM in Ford Hall

Ithaca College Wind Ensemble

Thursday, April 5, 2018
8:15PM in Ford Hall

United States Air Force Band and Singing Sergeants

Wednesday, April 11, 2018
7:00PM in Ford Hall - Tickets Required - visit: www.usafband.eventbrite.com 

Ithaca College Wind Ensemble and Ithaca College Wind Symphony

Thursday, April 26, 2018
8:15PM in Ford Hall

Ithaca College Wind Ensemble - Concert Tour to Troy, New York

Friday, April 27, 2018
Troy Music Hall

Ithaca College Concert Band and Ithaca College Campus Band

Wednesday, May 2, 2018
8:15PM in Ford Hall

The IC Bands extend a very special thank you...

Karl Paulnack, Dean, Ithaca College School of Music

David Pacun, Associate Dean, Ithaca College School of Music

Erik Kibelsbeck, Manager of Concerts and Facilities, Ithaca College School of

Music

Alexandria Kemp, Scheduling and Events Assistant, Ithaca College School of

Music

Ford Hall Stage Crew

Ithaca College School of Music Wind, Brass, Percussion, and Keyboard Faculty

Becky Jordan, Manager of Ensembles & Kinyon Music Education Collections

and her dedicated staff

Kristina Shanton, Music Librarian