09/08/2020
Symphonic Winds, like all of us, has needed to adapt to the current pandemic. However, with some creative planning we are meeting the challenge head on while embracing the new social distancing guidelines and ways of working.
This semester, in order to meet the limitations of our rehearsal spaces, the ensemble is divided in two: a woodwind and percussion orchestra; and a brass and percussion choir. While the latter is a conventional instrumental format, the former is an emerging medium.
The pandemic has affected the livelihood of many musicians and composers, and, given the ensemble's collaborative and interdisciplinary past performances, conductor Simon Tillier particularly wanted to support living composers and the many fine instrumentalists associated with Symphonic Winds. We have commissioned new and adapted works from Jenni Watson and Christopher Hussey, alongside other fantastic repertoire by Adam Gorb, William Rimmer, Alexandre Guilmant, Mark Bassey, and Ernesto Lecuona. We are also working on bringing regional guest artists to collaborate with the ensemble.
These initiatives have enabled Symphonic Winds to develop a distinctive approach to the current situation, and, in so doing, will provide students with new and interesting musical experiences.
The ensemble hopes to be able to film and stream their performances to the campus and wider community online later in the fall. We know it's not the same as being able to attend a live performance, but we hope it will stop all of us feeling quite so far apart.
