In May I had the privilege of having works premiered by my alma mater: two choral pieces, a band piece, and an arrangement for band and chorus. I am starting to work on another set of pieces for them, to be premiered next spring. Both of these projects have been generously supported by the Nye Grant.
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It was gratifying to support the music program at my high school in this way and to reconnect with my mentor, Lisa Fournier-Donley. As I hoped the students seemed to benefit from the experience. Here is some of their feedback:
"Having someone write pieces for your band is the best feeling in the world. Fanfare and march was written to us for us and really challenged us. I loved having the composer there to hear his own piece played with real instruments. I'm so thankful for the Nye Grant in letting us be challenged by Ian and forever call that piece OURS."- Olivia F., Clarinet (junior)
"My favorite piece was Fanfare and March. It was crazy to have Ian at the concert. It inspired all of us to work and practice as hard as we can just because of Ian's presence." - Steven B., Saxophone (freshman)
"I think our best song was Fanfare and March, we worked so hard and our end result was amazing! I loved having a piece written for us! It made me want to work harder on it, because the composer was in the audience. thank you Ian Good for writing amazing pieces for us, and I hope maybe one day we will get another famous Ian Good piece." - Analise R., Trumpet (freshman)
"having the composer at our concert was nerve wracking, but hearing him speak his appreciation and know how much he enjoyed listening and grateful he was felt amazing." Harmony W., Flute (sophomore)
"My favorite song was Fanfare and March. There were so many different parts of the song and they were all so fun. Ian wrote some hard stuff for me, but it made it so much more gratifying when I got it and we performed the song. Speaking of Ian, having a composer personally put a song together for our band was so wonderful and so personal. When he came for the last rehearsal the song felt so special and his reaction to us playing his songs was awesome to see." - Maddie C., Bass Clarinet (junior)
"Having a composer at our concert was a really cool experience, it was very unique. Usually we sing songs that are commonly known. Ian wrote these songs for us which added a personal touch that makes each songs' meaning stronger and sentimental. I really enjoyed having this unique, once in a lifetime experience. Because of it we all grew as an ensemble and grew as individuals. I am beyond thankful to be a part of a group of such talented singers with an experienced conductor and brilliant composer"- McKenna W., Alto (junior)
"It was a very rewarding experience to have the composer at the concert because not only were we performing for just an audience but him as well. Bringing his music to life was an amazing experience." - Tess M., Soprano (senior)
If these comments aren't a testament to the importance of supporting living composers and commissioning works for school ensembles, I don't know what is!
"Having someone write pieces for your band is the best feeling in the world. Fanfare and march was written to us for us and really challenged us. I loved having the composer there to hear his own piece played with real instruments. I'm so thankful for the Nye Grant in letting us be challenged by Ian and forever call that piece OURS."- Olivia F., Clarinet (junior)
"My favorite piece was Fanfare and March. It was crazy to have Ian at the concert. It inspired all of us to work and practice as hard as we can just because of Ian's presence." - Steven B., Saxophone (freshman)
"I think our best song was Fanfare and March, we worked so hard and our end result was amazing! I loved having a piece written for us! It made me want to work harder on it, because the composer was in the audience. thank you Ian Good for writing amazing pieces for us, and I hope maybe one day we will get another famous Ian Good piece." - Analise R., Trumpet (freshman)
"having the composer at our concert was nerve wracking, but hearing him speak his appreciation and know how much he enjoyed listening and grateful he was felt amazing." Harmony W., Flute (sophomore)
"My favorite song was Fanfare and March. There were so many different parts of the song and they were all so fun. Ian wrote some hard stuff for me, but it made it so much more gratifying when I got it and we performed the song. Speaking of Ian, having a composer personally put a song together for our band was so wonderful and so personal. When he came for the last rehearsal the song felt so special and his reaction to us playing his songs was awesome to see." - Maddie C., Bass Clarinet (junior)
"Having a composer at our concert was a really cool experience, it was very unique. Usually we sing songs that are commonly known. Ian wrote these songs for us which added a personal touch that makes each songs' meaning stronger and sentimental. I really enjoyed having this unique, once in a lifetime experience. Because of it we all grew as an ensemble and grew as individuals. I am beyond thankful to be a part of a group of such talented singers with an experienced conductor and brilliant composer"- McKenna W., Alto (junior)
"It was a very rewarding experience to have the composer at the concert because not only were we performing for just an audience but him as well. Bringing his music to life was an amazing experience." - Tess M., Soprano (senior)
If these comments aren't a testament to the importance of supporting living composers and commissioning works for school ensembles, I don't know what is!
