IWBC Day 1 Recap
Hi everyone!
This is my second time attending an International Brass Women’s Conference and it is just as incredible an experience as I remember! As you walk the music building of the University of North Texas, you get a sense that everyone is thrilled to be here (which I’m sure we are, since this conference was postponed a year due to COVID). Icons of brass playing and composition (Susan Slaughter, Velvet Brown, Faye-Ellen Silverman, so many more) are mingling with bright-eyed undergraduate students, and the sense of camaraderie and support is palpable.
The first day of the conference (Wednesday, May 25) featured the Welcome Concert and Opening Ceremonies, including two new compositions by two of my favorite composers, Faye-Ellen Silverman and Gina Gillie. Silverman’s “A Time to Mourn” (2022) for unaccompanied cornet, written in memorium of IWBC supporter and coordinator Joan Fann, was moving and brought me to my first of many misty-eyed moments during the day. The UNT Trombone Consortium also premiered IWBC Composition Competition Winner Gina Gillie’s “Mountain Ascent,” a stunning work that every trombone choir should add to their repertoire immediately.
The conference is jam-packed with incredible events, but - since I’m a horn player - I’ve chosen to attend many horn-centric recitals and presentations. Next up was a recital of horn solo works performed by Kate Pritchett, Professor of Horn at Oklahoma City University. She played two substantial works, “Nevertheless, She Persisted” by Edward Knight and “La Calavera” by Alice Gomez. This recital encapsulates my experience here so far, a mix of brand-new-to-me pieces mixed in with some of my absolute favorites! The Knight was expressive and immediately made me want to run out and learn it, and Gomez’s “La Calavera” is always a fun listen. Prof. Pritchett did a stunning job with both, and it was incredible listening to her interpretations of the music.
Next I attended a performance by Trio Mélange (James Boldin - horn, Claire Vangelisti - soprano, and Richard Seiler - piano) featuring “Works by Women Composers and Poets". Again, this was a mix of pieces I already love and some I had never heard before. A big highlight for me was There is No Music More, whose first movement “Daughter of Eve” was heartbreaking. I also always love to hear Gina Gillie’s To the Seasons, so no complaints here!
After a very informative presentation, “Preparing for a Premiere Military Band Audition” by several women military musicians, it was time for Kristy Morrell’s Featured Artist Recital. As you may know, she was the Professor of Horn at USC for years and years, and has recently moved to Waco to teach at Baylor University (BOO GO FROGS). While every piece was played beautifully, I personally enjoyed “Wilderness” and “I Come to the Garden Alone,” the latter being a tribute to Morrell’s mother. Both of these pieces (and many more!) can be found on her new album, Women’s Work, which dropped on Spotify yesterday!! DEFINITELY go check it out.
TW: Mass Shooting in Uvalde
In the evening, the Lone Star Wind Orchestra (program pictured left) gave a performance that brought me to misty-eyed moments numbers 2-5, as they dedicated One Life Beautiful to the children killed in the shooting in Uvalde days prior. As some of you may know, my mother is a teacher in a town not too far from Uvalde, so the emotions came fast and hard.
Aside - if you think something like this couldn’t happen in your town (“Everyone knows everyone, we don't have secrets here, blah blah blah”), you can’t be more wrong. Mass shootings are a scourge on this country and it is about time our leaders do something about them.
ANYWAYS, the entire concert was performed beautifully. Tuba-star Velvet Brown shined in the premiere of Pandora by Ukrainian composer Anna Segal, as did the Lantana trio during Another World.
Thus far, IWBC 2022 has been a smashing success and I can’t wait to see even more today and tomorrow!