Western Carolina University Wind Ensemble is one of the premiere ensembles in the School of Music. The auditioned ensemble is comprised of 40-50 of the finest woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians on campus by audition. Each semester the Wind Ensemble provides outstanding artistic experiences through the performance of a wide variety of repertoire. Recent works have included Popcopy by Scott McAllister and Darius Milhaud's Suite Francaise.
Fall 2020 Update on Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble:
Everyone is very aware of the challenges we have faced with COVID -19 and the departure of David Starnes. As I watched videos from around the world this spring and summer I noticed that people turned to the arts during this difficult time. We watched Patrick Stewart read Shakespeare Sonnets, listened to archive concerts of the Berlin Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera. We even get to watch Hamilton now! I believe it is more important than ever that we find a way to gather together to make art, and I am reinvigorated knowing that we will make music together in the next few weeks. This has presented us with a wonderful opportunity and I am very excited about what we have planned for the fall for both Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble.
The plans for both ensembles are very similar. Both ensembles will explore the best repertoire written for winds. Each of the ensembles will be divided into three groups: Brass Choir, Sextet/Octet/Dectet of mixed woodwinds (Harmoniemusik), and an additional mixed ensemble. This is a format already used in wind ensemble, and I’m incredibly excited to be able to introduce this format in Symphonic Band. I’m also ecstatic to announce that Dr. Bennett, Dr. Jeffress, and Dr. Szabo have all agreed to rehearse the smaller ensembles for Symphonic Band. With these extraordinary faculty on board this semester, I am confident that you are going to have a memorable and meaningful ensemble experience. Dr. Szabo will conduct the Brass Choir, Dr. Bennett the Sextet/Octet/Dectet, and Dr. Jeffress the mixed chamber ensemble. While the repertoire is still being finalized, right now the program includes works by Johann DeMeij, Gabrieli, Jennifer Jolley, Adam Gorb, Mozart (yes…Mozart!) and some other surprises.
Wind Ensemble will follow a similar structure. I will be coaching similar chamber ensembles. As of right now the ensemble will be playing pieces by Michael Daugherty, Karel Husa, Carl Orff, Mozart, and Dvorak.
Those of you who have performed in chamber wind ensembles already know the value, rewards, and joy of this collaborative music making experience. So, I strongly encourage you to consider sending in a video audition for one of these ensembles. Please know that we understand practice facilities have been at a minimum. I am not looking for perfection, just do your best. It is more important to send in what you have than to not take part in this wonderful opportunity. If you have any difficulties, please let me know. Audition excerpts and the video submission form can be found on this website under the Auditions tab. I promise I will work with you as much as possible.
Our first meeting will be held the second week of classes. Personnel assignments will be posted by Thursday, August 20.
We are in this together and what better way than to make music!
Best,
Dr. Underwood
Fall 2020 Update on Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble:
Everyone is very aware of the challenges we have faced with COVID -19 and the departure of David Starnes. As I watched videos from around the world this spring and summer I noticed that people turned to the arts during this difficult time. We watched Patrick Stewart read Shakespeare Sonnets, listened to archive concerts of the Berlin Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera. We even get to watch Hamilton now! I believe it is more important than ever that we find a way to gather together to make art, and I am reinvigorated knowing that we will make music together in the next few weeks. This has presented us with a wonderful opportunity and I am very excited about what we have planned for the fall for both Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble.
The plans for both ensembles are very similar. Both ensembles will explore the best repertoire written for winds. Each of the ensembles will be divided into three groups: Brass Choir, Sextet/Octet/Dectet of mixed woodwinds (Harmoniemusik), and an additional mixed ensemble. This is a format already used in wind ensemble, and I’m incredibly excited to be able to introduce this format in Symphonic Band. I’m also ecstatic to announce that Dr. Bennett, Dr. Jeffress, and Dr. Szabo have all agreed to rehearse the smaller ensembles for Symphonic Band. With these extraordinary faculty on board this semester, I am confident that you are going to have a memorable and meaningful ensemble experience. Dr. Szabo will conduct the Brass Choir, Dr. Bennett the Sextet/Octet/Dectet, and Dr. Jeffress the mixed chamber ensemble. While the repertoire is still being finalized, right now the program includes works by Johann DeMeij, Gabrieli, Jennifer Jolley, Adam Gorb, Mozart (yes…Mozart!) and some other surprises.
Wind Ensemble will follow a similar structure. I will be coaching similar chamber ensembles. As of right now the ensemble will be playing pieces by Michael Daugherty, Karel Husa, Carl Orff, Mozart, and Dvorak.
Those of you who have performed in chamber wind ensembles already know the value, rewards, and joy of this collaborative music making experience. So, I strongly encourage you to consider sending in a video audition for one of these ensembles. Please know that we understand practice facilities have been at a minimum. I am not looking for perfection, just do your best. It is more important to send in what you have than to not take part in this wonderful opportunity. If you have any difficulties, please let me know. Audition excerpts and the video submission form can be found on this website under the Auditions tab. I promise I will work with you as much as possible.
Our first meeting will be held the second week of classes. Personnel assignments will be posted by Thursday, August 20.
We are in this together and what better way than to make music!
Best,
Dr. Underwood
Upcoming Performances
|
Performances for Fall 2020 will be posted shortly.
|
Margaret Underwood is the Director of Bands at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina. In addition to conducting the WCU Wind Ensemble, she teaches courses in conducting, music education, and supervises student teachers. Prior to her current appointment she served as Director of Bands and Associate Professor of Music at Otterbein University in Westerville, Ohio. Previously, she was the Assistant Director of Bands at Mansfield University in Pennsylvania and taught middle and high school band for several years in New York.
Dr. Underwood received her DMA in conducting from the University of Minnesota, where she studied with Craig Kirchhoff. She holds an MM in conducting from The Ohio State University, studying with Dr. Russel Mikkelson and a BME from State University of New York at Fredonia. She has also studied conducting with Richard Blatti, Kathy Romey, Dale Warland, Akira Mori and Robert Debbaut. Additionally, she has been selected for master classes with Jerry Junkin, Timothy Reynish, Helmuth Rilling, Richard Floyd and Robert Carnahan.
She is an active guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States. She has guest conducted ensembles in Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia and has conducted at the CBDNA North Central Regional Conference. In 2009, she presented her research on Robert Kurka's The Good Soldier Schweik Suite at the CBDNA National Conference and the WASBE International Conference. The Journal of World Association of Band and Symphonic Ensembles also published her article on Robert Kurka's The Good Soldier Schweik Suite.
Ensembles under her direction have received praise from composers such as Carolyn Bremer and Carol Barnett. In November 2013, the Otterbein University Wind Ensemble performed at the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, Washington.
Margaret Underwood is an active member of College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, North Carolina Music Educators Association and World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. She is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.
Dr. Underwood received her DMA in conducting from the University of Minnesota, where she studied with Craig Kirchhoff. She holds an MM in conducting from The Ohio State University, studying with Dr. Russel Mikkelson and a BME from State University of New York at Fredonia. She has also studied conducting with Richard Blatti, Kathy Romey, Dale Warland, Akira Mori and Robert Debbaut. Additionally, she has been selected for master classes with Jerry Junkin, Timothy Reynish, Helmuth Rilling, Richard Floyd and Robert Carnahan.
She is an active guest conductor and clinician throughout the United States. She has guest conducted ensembles in Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, Washington, and West Virginia and has conducted at the CBDNA North Central Regional Conference. In 2009, she presented her research on Robert Kurka's The Good Soldier Schweik Suite at the CBDNA National Conference and the WASBE International Conference. The Journal of World Association of Band and Symphonic Ensembles also published her article on Robert Kurka's The Good Soldier Schweik Suite.
Ensembles under her direction have received praise from composers such as Carolyn Bremer and Carol Barnett. In November 2013, the Otterbein University Wind Ensemble performed at the Western International Band Clinic in Seattle, Washington.
Margaret Underwood is an active member of College Band Directors National Association, National Association for Music Education, North Carolina Music Educators Association and World Association of Symphonic Bands and Ensembles. She is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma.