The audience at the Alumni Recital Hall got to see double the musical talent as the Brass and Clarinet Ensembles held their joint concert on Wednesday, April 15, at 7 p.m.
The concert began with the Brass Ensemble, who performed six pieces, including selections from “Our Town” and “La La Land.” After a brief intermission, the Clarinet Ensemble took the stage to perform three numbers, ending with a longer piece, “Rhapsodish,” inspired by Turkish and Jewish music.
Junior Hailey Taylor, a member of the Brass Ensemble, has been performing with them since her first year and said that her favorite part of the ensemble is getting to perform with her friends.
“We spend time with each other outside of rehearsing as well,” Taylor said. “And it’s very fortunate that we all get along so well, because that means that rehearsal doesn’t always feel like working.”
Taylor said that she feels the sense of community that the Brass Ensemble brings has made her a better musician.
“I could be the best technical player in the world, but if I can’t work with others or build meaningful connections, I don’t think that skill would mean anything,” she said. “The support and trust of my peers and the way they give me more reasons to love making music is what makes me a stronger player.”
Taylor said her favorite piece of the concert was “T’anguish,” a movement from the third number of the Brass Ensemble’s program “Dance Suite for Three Trombones and Tuba.”
“It has a sultry sort of groove, and it’s fun to play with the group,” she said.
Sophomore James Lee, another member of the Brass Ensemble, has also played with the ensemble since his first semester, and he agreed that the people make the ensemble.
“They are funny and great to work with,” Lee said.
Lee said his favorite piece from the concert was the Brass Ensemble’s closer, “Deep River,” calling it “an inspiring and beautiful spiritual.”
Lee said that feedback from the audience was positive.
“People afterwards told me that the performance was wonderful, and pointed out the intricate details that we had taken so long to prepare,” he said.
First-year attendee Arrow Hines said that their favorite piece from the concert was the final piece from the Clarinet Ensemble.
“I like that everyone in that piece had their own moment, and it was very clear who had their own moment,” Hines said. “Even as a music major, it takes my breath away.”
First-year Riley McIntyre said that her favorite piece was the Brass Ensemble’s final number.
“I liked that they didn’t do a really loud one like they usually do for the brass ending,” McIntyre said. “And I really appreciate church music.”
The schedule for the remaining Music Department performances of the semester can be found at https://www.keene.edu/arts/redfern/.
Emily Sloane can be contacted at
