Sure, most people have heard of the Calgary Philharmonic; but what about the Calgary Wind Symphony (CWS)? Many people may wonder the difference between the two, and the most distinct is the fact that the CWS does not employ the use of strings (with the exception of the double bass). In many ways, the symphony is not unlike the school concert bands you may be a part of in terms of instrumentation, but one listen will prove to you that this professional ensemble is anything but.
Originating in 1947, the CWS was just a small-town band that boasted a uniform of cowboy hats and plaid shirts and performed at the annual Stampede Parade. Flash forward to the present, where they have played at many festivals worldwide, and wear a black and white uniform instead. The symphony has been conducted by numerous talented music directors and is currently being led by University of Calgary saxophone professor, Dr. Jeremy Brown, alongside with associate conductors Dr. Wendy Freeman; who just so happens to be my former band teacher, and trumpeter Gareth Jones. After many successful seasons that included tours of Europe, the 2014/15 season commenced on Sunday, bringing with it a unique and diverse repertoire. I was given the wonderful opportunity to attend the CWS concert—my first, but certainly not my last.
Something I quite admired was that prior to each piece there were short introductions given by members of the band. Personally, it allowed me to have a better sense of what should be felt or what should be paid special attention to when a piece is being played. If you’re not one for listening to a 30 minute concerto, the CWS typically plays a large selection of shorter works that are all different in their own way, yet have a unifying factor throughout. In this concert, I particularly enjoyed the fun tune written by George Kleinsinger (arr. Geroge F. Roach) called “Tubby the Tuba”, which was a crowd-pleaser, especially among the children in the audience. The tuba part was played by Arthur Lapp; the principal tubist for both the CWS and the Calgary Civic Symphony, Tubby follows the story of a tuba who wanted to play the melody. Narrated enthusiastically by Dr. Wendy Freeman, this was an entertaining and engaging work that got the listeners laughing. As well, how could I not mention the piece for which the concert was named for? “A Short Ride in a Fast Machine” by John Adams (transcribed by Lawrence T. Odom) was a genuine display of musical prowess and the dexterity of the group as a whole. There were many layers of sound that were all balanced exceptionally and together created a driving energy in the room. I also particularly enjoyed the solo given by saxophonist Laci Marchand of the piece “Pheonix” by Ryo Noda. A Japanese tune inspired by the mythological bird. Laci utilized the technology of digital delay, creating interesting harmonies that provided a contrast to the largely western-styled pieces that are usually played.
The Calgary Wind Symphony is definitely a must-see Calgary talent group. The ensemble is an excellent example of individually great musicians coming together to form beautiful music that will appeal to all ages. I highly recommend seeing them live, and tickets for their upcoming concerts in the 2014/15 season range from $12-15 per show, with a discounted season package. For general information and future show dates, head over to http://calgarywindsymphony.com/.