In January 2023, The Eastman Wind Ensemble celebrated the 70th anniversary of this groundbreaking organization and concept.
The celebration included:
Wednesday, January 25
The Eastman Wind Orchestra in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre performed a program of works considered to be repertoire staples of the EWE’s founder, Dr. Frederick Fennell ‘37E, ‘39E (MS). Pieces included Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Toccata Marziale, Gordon Jacob’s William Byrd Suite, and Morton Gould’s Ballad, among others. Scatterday, along with doctoral conducting assistants Luke Camarillo and Mason St. Pierre, led from the podium.
Friday, January 27
The Eastman Wind Ensemble, led by Dr. Scatterday and Conductor Emeritus Dr. Donald Hunsberger ‘54E, ‘59E (MM), ‘63E (DMA), gave its 70th Anniversary Concert in Kodak Hall – with a program nodding to the Ensemble’s debut concert on February 8, 1953.
Repertoire on the 1953 debut concert included Mozart’s Serenade No. 10 in B-flat Major, K. 361/370a (Gran Partita), Wallingford Riegger’s Nonet for Brass, and Paul Hindemith’s Symphony in B–flat. Honoring this historic occasion, the January 27 concert included both works by Mozart and Hindemith. Riegger’s Nonet was replaced by Valerie Coleman’s Fanfare for Uncommon Times.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Eastman Centennial Award to Donald Hunsberger by Jamal J. Rossi, Joan and Martin Messinger Dean of the Eastman School of Music. Hunsberger was acknowledged for his decades commitment and dedication to the Eastman Wind Ensemble and the Eastman School.
From January 27-29, the International Conductors Guild hosted the Frederick Fennell Memorial Conducting Masterclass at Eastman. During this weekend, ten participants selected from around the country conducted the Wind Ensemble and Wind Orchestra while receiving feedback from Scatterday and Hunsberger. There also were a series of discussions, including a session on Mozart’s Gran Partita with American Musicologist Neal Zaslaw, Cornell University’s Herbert Gussman Professor of Music Emeritus.