Carthage Wind Orchestra and Concert Band
Dr. James C. Ripley, conductor
History
The Carthage College Wind Orchestra, one of the oldest college bands in the United States, was established as a brass band in 1873 under the leadership of professor J.M. Helfrich. From its humble beginnings as a six-piece brass ensemble, the group has been subsequently been known as the "Concert Band", "Symphonic Band", "Symphonic Wind Ensemble", and "Wind Symphony" during its tenure of 134 years.
Distinguished conductors to lead the band were J.Q.A. Kimmell, Elmer Hanke, Merrill Brown, Woodrow Hodges, and Kenneth Winkle. The band has a long and honored history of service to Carthage College and the artistic life of the communities of Kenosha, Wisconsin and Carthage, Illinois. The band has also maintained a rich tradition in touring the Midwest. The Carthage band claims as one of its most outstanding alumni the composer, David Uber, who maintains a repository of his music in the Hedberg Library. A series of important events celebrated the 130th anniversary of the band in 2003. These included the band's first tour to Japan, as well as a midwestern tour, the premiere of a commissioned work ("Palimpsest" by Keith Carpenter), and the band's first compact disc.
A new CD was released in 2007,"Winds a la Carte", with another, "Think on These Things" slated for release in 2008. In May 2007 the Wind Orchestra premiered a new work for winds by German composer Matthias Kern. 2007-08 marks the 135th season of performances by the Carthage Band, and will include a return trip to Japan in January, as well the premiere of a new edition of Howard Hanson's "Pan and the Priest" for chamber winds arranged by the composer. In October, the Homecoming Concert saluted former recipients of the outstanding senior band award, spanning 50 years between 1957 and 2007.
Scholarships to play in the Wind Orchestra are available for both music majors and non-majors.
Goals
The vision of the Carthage College Band program is that it will be the exemplar of private school instrumental music education in the United States. Ways that this vision will be accomplished include:- Developing each student's own musical potential to the fullest degree.
- Dual emphasis on chamber music and large ensemble performance.
- Rehearsal approaches that support teacher training and music
education
AS WELL AS exemplary performance standards
- Wind Orchestra methodology for ensemble sound in premier ensemble.
- Concert Band opportunites for symphonic sound experience.
- Flexible rehearsal schedule.
- Touring for performance development, cohesion of ensemble and recruiting.
- Clinics and outreach workshops for enhanced student preparation and recruiting.
- Recording for performance development, cohesion of ensemble and recruiting.
- Interacting and performing with world-class musicians
What makes the Carthage experience unique?
The Carthage Bands are not only an exceptional performance ensembles, but also live, interactive "learning laboratories" for our music education students. Those students in the music education program have opportunities to conduct and rehearse the bands, as well as receive guidance and feedback from the conductor and ensemble members. Rehearsals are structured to lend insight into not only how to make music, but how to teach music.
The chamber ensemble program allows students to perform in a variety of styles and venues both on-campus and off-campus. Workshops and clinics are arranged so chamber ensembles can also provide educational support for regional schools.
The location of Carthage allows students to take advantage of the artistic riches of the Chicago and Milwaukee metropolitan areas while enjoying the relative seclusiveness of the beautiful Carthage campus and the splendor of Lake Michigan.
Touring opportunities not only include the Midwestern states, but also Japan and Europe.
Carthage College and Kurashiki Sakuyo University are partners in an exchange program that began in 2001 with the appointment of James Ripley to the faculty of both institutions. Since that time, students in the Carthage Wind Orchestra and Kurashiki Sakuyo Wind Philharmony have performed some of the most significant repertoire from each other's cultures. In addition, the Carthage Wind Orchestra conducted a study-tour to Japan in January 2003. While in Japan, the Wind Orchestra maintained a one week residency at Kurashiko Sakuyo University, culminating in a joint concert with the Wind Philharmony. The 2005 Wind Philharmony tour also includes a similar residency in Kenosha. The success of these ventures has prompted the administration of both institutions to draft a formal agreement, continuing the partnership to develop further exchanges of information, touring opportunities, and study abroad.
What is the difference between the Wind Orchestra and Concert Band?
Simply put, a wind orchestra is a group of musicians playing wind and percussion instruments. However, the wind orchestra is comprised ONLY of the composer's specified instrumentation. Moreover, the wind orchestra layers the timbres of each instrument, rather than mixing them. Finally, the wind orchestra places optimal value on the expressive contribution of each member. The primary advantage of a wind orchestra is that it is able to change timbre based on the style of composition.
The Carthage Concert Band is an extension of the Wind Orchestra, and allows students addtional opportunities to further their skills as a musician and teacher. The Concert Band carries on the band's long tradition of performing works of historical importance as well as a variety of outstanding new compositions. Symphonic band principles are utilized to formulate the sound of this ensemble.
Dr. James C. Ripley, conductor - Director of Instrumental Music Activities
2007-08 Repertoire
Homecoming Weekend:
Ronald Nelson - Mayflower Overture
J. S. Bach/Clark McAllister - Jesus Christus, Unser Heiland, BWV 665
Gustav Holst - Marching Song
Richard Wagner/Ronald Nelson - Greetings from His Faithful Followers
Germaine Tailleferre/Paul Wehage - Choral
Ralph Vaughan Williams - O How Amiable
Fall Concert:
Fergal Carroll - Winter Dances
Nathan Tanouye - Kokopelli's Dance
Michael Ball - Chaucer's Tunes
Randall Thompson - The Last Words of David
Ralph Vaughan Williams/Douglas Wagner - The Golden Vanity
Fergal Carroll - Blackwater
Adam Gorb - Safari and Sunrise
William Grant Still - Folk Suite
Japan Tour:
Ronald Nelson - Mayflower Overture
J. S. Bach/Clark McAllister - Jesus Christus, Unser Heiland, BWV 665
Gustav Holst - Marching Song
Fergal Carroll - Winter Dances
Nathan Tanouye - Kokopelli's Dance
Michael Ball - Chaucer's Tunes
David Maslanka - Heart Songs
Martin Ellerby - Tuba Concerto (Scott Tegge, tuba)
Timothy Mahr - Noble Element
Iijima, Toshinari - A Stroll by the Lakeside
Spring Concerts:
Francis Poulenc - Suite Francaise
Robert Kurka - Suite from "The Good Soldier Schweik"
David Del Tredici/Mark Spede - Acrostic Song
Darius Milhaud - Suite Francaise
Howard Hanson - Pan and the Priest (Debbie Masloski, piano)
Eric Ewazen - Shadowcatcher (Gaudete Brass Quintet)
Charles Ives/Keith Brion - Variations on Jerusalem the Golden (Gaudete Brass Quintet)
Joseph Turrin - Serenade Romantic
Ronald LoPresti/Greg Rudgers - The Masks