Wind Ensemble
Performance Notes
Bayou Breakdown
Wicklow
Rippling Watercolors
A Ghost Story
Ascent
The desperation and terror have vanished, now replaced with hope as chimes echo through the soft harmony of brass and woodwind. The spirit embraces his beloved for one last time as he accepts his departure.
“Symphony No. 1: A Ghost Story” is truly a whirlwind of emotions; it's a cinematic piece that, without words, wraps the audience in an engaging anecdote. Through each movement, listeners resonate with the emotions portrayed: mourning, sorrow, despair, and peace—a moment of acceptance and renewal.
Wicklow
Deep within the mountains of the Emerald Isle lies the small town of Wicklow. As you traverse further into the mountains, you’ll find yourself on the Old Military Road, a small remnant of history. Back in 1798, the British constructed this path to quell a rebellion; now, it's a quaint, rather isolated road, but if you listen closely, you may hear the echoes of 1798. “Wicklow”, conducted by the Ellis Middle School Director Amanda James, is a spirited folk song featuring a variety of percussion instruments that pay homage to the lively musical culture of Ireland.
Rippling Watercolors
In the midst of complexity and intricacy, “Ripping Watercolors”, conducted by North Davie Middle School Director Dylan Jones, is a brilliant reminder of the fervent power of simplicity. This piece, inspired by a plain set of watercolors, fuses a medley of simple rhythms to create a truly magnificent harmony. It's grandiose climax instills a sense of passion in listeners. As said by the composer, Brian Balmages: “With a little imagination, these watercolors can become a magnificent sunrise or sunset over the ocean, a gorgeous view from a mountaintop, or an image of a supernova in space.”
Loss
Similar to the first movement, Movement Two, “Loss”, begins quietly, but unlike its predecessor, this quietness is gentle. Motionlessly, the widow peers at the orange-tinted skies as the sun rises, but she is not alone; traces of memories dance across the house. The piece begins with a lonesome clarinet melody, and as other tunes join in, it culminates until a whirlwind of grief is unleashed. The widow's screams slowly die out, and the movement comes to a close with a longing sigh.
Bayou Breakdown
A showstopping performance opens the night with Wind Ensemble’s rendition of “Bayou Breakdown” conducted by South Davie Middle School’s director, Andrew Hicks. Composed by Bryan Kanick, this jaunty fugue is a Cajun-style musical that blends several overlapping phrases to create a whimsical melody with elements of jazz and bluegrass woven throughout each phrase.Hidden within the animated tunes of "Bayou Breakdown "is a flowing chorale reminiscent of the tranquil waters of the Mississippi Delta; however, this serene lullaby is short-lived as the brisk tunes of the beginning return!Staying true to its title, this piece ends in a cacophonic explosion.
To Johnson, this solo is the perfect embodiment of the composer’s use of unconventional techniques to create unique rhythms. He remarks, “The composer uses different techniques and practices you wouldn’t typically see to make very interesting and captivating sounds; it’s just so evocative.”
Symphony NO.1: A Ghost Story
A clock chimes at midnight—something shifts. The deep rumbling of the low brass fills the room as a saxophone melody follows suit, creating a sense of dread. Stirring about is the spirit of the deceased composer; his rage against the injustice of his demise accumulates until his emotions explode. The once somber nature of the movement three, “Midnight”, shifts into a jarring cry of helplessness. You can feel the spirit’s desperation through the piercing brass tunes and the chaotic cacophony of sounds. The night of terror fades as dawn breaks across the horizon—the beginning of movement 4, “Ascent”.
The final piece to be performed is far more than just music; it is a tale—the story of a dead composer and a grieving widow. In “Symphony No. 1: Ghost Story”, you will hear and feel the widow’s sorrow; her reflections, nostalgia, and longing; the spirit’s rage and desperation; and lastly, acceptance. This story is told through four movements. The first movement, “Unquiet”, begins with an eerie quietness as the sounds of creaking pervade throughout the silence. In the midst of intense grief, the widow wails a sorrowful song; this English horn solo, performed by oboist Sylas Johnson, perfectly embodies a sense of mourning and longing, with an undercurrent of anger.
Similar to the first movement, Movement Two, “Loss”, begins quietly, but unlike its predecessor, this quietness is gentle. Motionlessly, the widow peers at the orange-tinted skies as the sun rises, but she is not alone; traces of memories dance across the house. The piece begins with a lonesome clarinet melody, and as other tunes join in, it culminates until a whirlwind of grief is unleashed. The widow's screams slowly die out, and the movement comes to a close with a longing sigh.
The desperation and terror have vanished, now replaced with hope as chimes echo through the soft harmony of brass and woodwind. The spirit embraces his beloved for one last time as he accepts his departure. “Symphony No. 1: A Ghost Story” is truly a whirlwind of emotions; it's a cinematic piece that, without words, wraps the audience in an engaging anecdote. Through each movement, listeners resonate with the emotions portrayed: mourning, sorrow, despair, and peace—a moment of acceptance and renewal.
Two
Three
Four
Midnight
A clock chimes at midnight—something shifts. The deep rumbling of the low brass fills the room as a saxophone melody follows suit, creating a sense of dread. Stirring about is the spirit of the deceased composer; his rage against the injustice of his demise accumulates until his emotions explode. The once somber nature of the movement three, “Midnight”, shifts into a jarring cry of helplessness. You can feel the spirit’s desperation through the piercing brass tunes and the chaotic cacophony of sounds. The night of terror fades as dawn breaks across the horizon—the beginning of movement 4, “Ascent”.
Wind Ensemble
Trista Yang
Created on October 30, 2025
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Transcript
Wind Ensemble
Performance Notes
Bayou Breakdown
Wicklow
Rippling Watercolors
A Ghost Story
Ascent
The desperation and terror have vanished, now replaced with hope as chimes echo through the soft harmony of brass and woodwind. The spirit embraces his beloved for one last time as he accepts his departure. “Symphony No. 1: A Ghost Story” is truly a whirlwind of emotions; it's a cinematic piece that, without words, wraps the audience in an engaging anecdote. Through each movement, listeners resonate with the emotions portrayed: mourning, sorrow, despair, and peace—a moment of acceptance and renewal.
Wicklow
Deep within the mountains of the Emerald Isle lies the small town of Wicklow. As you traverse further into the mountains, you’ll find yourself on the Old Military Road, a small remnant of history. Back in 1798, the British constructed this path to quell a rebellion; now, it's a quaint, rather isolated road, but if you listen closely, you may hear the echoes of 1798. “Wicklow”, conducted by the Ellis Middle School Director Amanda James, is a spirited folk song featuring a variety of percussion instruments that pay homage to the lively musical culture of Ireland.
Rippling Watercolors
In the midst of complexity and intricacy, “Ripping Watercolors”, conducted by North Davie Middle School Director Dylan Jones, is a brilliant reminder of the fervent power of simplicity. This piece, inspired by a plain set of watercolors, fuses a medley of simple rhythms to create a truly magnificent harmony. It's grandiose climax instills a sense of passion in listeners. As said by the composer, Brian Balmages: “With a little imagination, these watercolors can become a magnificent sunrise or sunset over the ocean, a gorgeous view from a mountaintop, or an image of a supernova in space.”
Loss
Similar to the first movement, Movement Two, “Loss”, begins quietly, but unlike its predecessor, this quietness is gentle. Motionlessly, the widow peers at the orange-tinted skies as the sun rises, but she is not alone; traces of memories dance across the house. The piece begins with a lonesome clarinet melody, and as other tunes join in, it culminates until a whirlwind of grief is unleashed. The widow's screams slowly die out, and the movement comes to a close with a longing sigh.
Bayou Breakdown
A showstopping performance opens the night with Wind Ensemble’s rendition of “Bayou Breakdown” conducted by South Davie Middle School’s director, Andrew Hicks. Composed by Bryan Kanick, this jaunty fugue is a Cajun-style musical that blends several overlapping phrases to create a whimsical melody with elements of jazz and bluegrass woven throughout each phrase.Hidden within the animated tunes of "Bayou Breakdown "is a flowing chorale reminiscent of the tranquil waters of the Mississippi Delta; however, this serene lullaby is short-lived as the brisk tunes of the beginning return!Staying true to its title, this piece ends in a cacophonic explosion.
To Johnson, this solo is the perfect embodiment of the composer’s use of unconventional techniques to create unique rhythms. He remarks, “The composer uses different techniques and practices you wouldn’t typically see to make very interesting and captivating sounds; it’s just so evocative.”
Symphony NO.1: A Ghost Story
A clock chimes at midnight—something shifts. The deep rumbling of the low brass fills the room as a saxophone melody follows suit, creating a sense of dread. Stirring about is the spirit of the deceased composer; his rage against the injustice of his demise accumulates until his emotions explode. The once somber nature of the movement three, “Midnight”, shifts into a jarring cry of helplessness. You can feel the spirit’s desperation through the piercing brass tunes and the chaotic cacophony of sounds. The night of terror fades as dawn breaks across the horizon—the beginning of movement 4, “Ascent”.
The final piece to be performed is far more than just music; it is a tale—the story of a dead composer and a grieving widow. In “Symphony No. 1: Ghost Story”, you will hear and feel the widow’s sorrow; her reflections, nostalgia, and longing; the spirit’s rage and desperation; and lastly, acceptance. This story is told through four movements. The first movement, “Unquiet”, begins with an eerie quietness as the sounds of creaking pervade throughout the silence. In the midst of intense grief, the widow wails a sorrowful song; this English horn solo, performed by oboist Sylas Johnson, perfectly embodies a sense of mourning and longing, with an undercurrent of anger.
Similar to the first movement, Movement Two, “Loss”, begins quietly, but unlike its predecessor, this quietness is gentle. Motionlessly, the widow peers at the orange-tinted skies as the sun rises, but she is not alone; traces of memories dance across the house. The piece begins with a lonesome clarinet melody, and as other tunes join in, it culminates until a whirlwind of grief is unleashed. The widow's screams slowly die out, and the movement comes to a close with a longing sigh.
The desperation and terror have vanished, now replaced with hope as chimes echo through the soft harmony of brass and woodwind. The spirit embraces his beloved for one last time as he accepts his departure. “Symphony No. 1: A Ghost Story” is truly a whirlwind of emotions; it's a cinematic piece that, without words, wraps the audience in an engaging anecdote. Through each movement, listeners resonate with the emotions portrayed: mourning, sorrow, despair, and peace—a moment of acceptance and renewal.
Two
Three
Four
Midnight
A clock chimes at midnight—something shifts. The deep rumbling of the low brass fills the room as a saxophone melody follows suit, creating a sense of dread. Stirring about is the spirit of the deceased composer; his rage against the injustice of his demise accumulates until his emotions explode. The once somber nature of the movement three, “Midnight”, shifts into a jarring cry of helplessness. You can feel the spirit’s desperation through the piercing brass tunes and the chaotic cacophony of sounds. The night of terror fades as dawn breaks across the horizon—the beginning of movement 4, “Ascent”.