Wind Symphony
The Northern Iowa Wind Symphony is recognized throughout the United States and parts of Europe for its exceptional performing ability, quality repertoire, and innovative programming. The guiding philosophy of the Wind Symphony is the study and performance of the finest available wind literature through the employment of the principles of flexible instrumentation, player rotation, and "core repertoire." By means of these principles, students are provided with the opportunity for meaningful encounters with the substantial body of original wind literature extending from the Renaissance to the 20th century. Their performances have received praise from renowned composers such as Karl Husa, Ron Nelson, Daniel Bukvich, Kamillo Lendvay, Frigyes Hidas, and Bernard van Beurden. In 1993 and 1996, the wind symphony performed a series of concerts in Hungary, including a performance over Hungarian National Radio.
The Wind Symphony in Italy
On a cold and wintry Thursday morning, March 10, the Wind Symphony left Cedar Falls for a five-city concert tour in Italy. For most of the students, it would be their first time in Europe. For many, it would be their first time outside of Iowa. For everyone, it would be the experience of a lifetime!
The plane from Chicago landed in Milano on Friday morning, and was greeted by some of our hosts for the week. After gathering our luggage and exchanging dollars for euros, we traveled to Manerbio, a suburb of Brescia (Brixia in Roman times!), where we would perform on Saturday evening. The community band, Civico Corpo Bandistico “Santa Cecilia” di Manerbio, was our host and shared the Saturday concert. There was a wonderful dinner for us on Friday evening in a local restaurant, as well as a celebratory reception after the performance on Saturday. The performance was a great success, with a “standing room only” crowd and many encores. The evening was also an occasion for the Eta Pi chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi National Band Fraternity to present the Silver Baton Award to Maestro Giovanni Ligasacchi, a teacher and conductor who has made substantial contributions to the cause of bands and music education in Northern Italy. Many friendships were joined during our stay in Manerbio, with a group of 30 or so traveling to each of our other four concerts. Some nights, this was a drive of two or three hours each way! It was like having our own “groupies!”
“I had the opportunity to stay with an extraordinary host family in Manerbio. Within the first few moments of meeting them, they took me in and made me a member of their family. I soon found out that all Italians offer the same friendship and courtesy to everyone they meet. Italians cheered and I cried in every venue we played in.”
~~ Joshua Johnson, sophomore ~~
Sunday began with a gentle rain that was with us most of the day. We visited a beautiful 17th century church in Cremona, as well as Verdi’s residence in Busetto. There was a great multi-course meal at a terrific restaurant near Verdi’s birthplace, then to the hotel for a short rest. The evening concert at the Teatro Sociale di Soresina was sponsored by the Coordinamento Bande Musicali di Cremona, one of the important band associations in Northern Italy. The theater is a small, lovely, 18th century opera house, with wonderful acoustics. The next day was given to visiting the wonderful sights in Verona . . . Juliet’s balcony, the colosseum (now used for operas in the summer) . . . and shopping.
“I think what I enjoyed most was just taking in all of the surroundings that the Italians live in. The buildings and churches were absolutely beautiful, and the history behind these structures made them seem even more amazing.”
~~ Amy Bell, senior ~~
Tuesday included a tour in the city of Brescia . . . the remains of the Roman Forum, the churches, and the square where Mussolini gave speeches and the site of the terrorist bombing in 1974. In the evening, we performed in another of Italy’s wonderful opera houses, this one in the Mantuva suburb of Castiglione . . . the Teatro di Castiglione delle Stiviere. This performance was sponsored by the municipal leaders of the villages of Castiglione and Carpenedolo. The theater was similar in design and acoustic to the house in Soresina. Our wonderful friends from Manerbio were again in attendance, this time bringing along the state flag of Iowa which we had presented to their Mayor.
“The emotion I felt during and after the concerts we played was indescribable, and that feeling only fuels the passion that I have for music.”
or music.”
~~ Adrian Brown, sophomore ~~
Wednesday started early with a somewhat lengthy bus ride to Bergamo. Our hosts there gave us a wonderful tour of the old part of the city . . . again, beautiful churches and museums, stunning architecture and public art. The concert in the evening was given in the Basilica di San Martino Vescovo in Alzano Lombardo. This was perhaps the most memorable of all our performances. Our concert was part of a special Basilica concert series, and the audience was full. Besides the people from the area of Bergamo, other musicians had driven from many other parts of Italy for the performance. We began each of our concerts with the playing of a special arrangement of the Star Spangled Banner. This night, the entire audience stood for our national anthem . . . it was a wonderful moment! And, at the end, as we played Amazing Grace as one of our encores, the audience again stood and sang or hummed along with us. It was an unforgettable evening.
“Going to Italy really opened my life to the rest of the world. The knowledge I gained from this trip is priceless to me. I have never played for more receptive audiences, or experienced so much hospitality from people I had never met.”
~~ Brooke Stevens, sophomore ~~
Thursday again started early with a 3 hour bus ride to Trento, north of the Garda Lake, in the Alps. Trento is the site of the Counter Reformation of the 16th century . . . known to all music students as the “Council of Trent.” We visited the churches where all the decisions were made which affected the liturgy of the Catholic Church and its music. Another memorable experience!! In the evening was our final concert, shared with the community band from Arco di Trento, the Banda Musicale del Liceo “Antonio Rosmini” di Rovereto. And, of course, it was the final occasion to see our wonderful friends from Manerbio, who had driven more than 3 hours to hear our performance. What great people! We spent our last full day in the beautiful canal city of Venice, visiting the famed Basilica di San Marco, and many other wonderful sites. It was a great finale to an unforgettable experience!
“The best part of the trip wasn’t necessarily the great food or historical sights . . . which were quite magnificent. For me, the best part was meeting wonderful people and learning some valuable lessons in human relations. This trip taught me many things about bridging communication problems, accepting new cultural ideas, and trusting in myself and those around me.”
~~ Christopher Hodge, senior ~~
We took an “all-American” program with us for our concerts . . . Bernstein, John Williams, Charles Ives, Percy Grainger, Eric Whitacre, and Dana Wilson. We also had the saxophone, horn, trombone, and tuba/euphonium sections play special music before concerts, and during the intermission . . . a big hit with the Italians! Our hosts were exceptionally courteous and supportive. We were provided with first-class accommodations, terrific food (before AND after concerts), tours of their cities, and general good will. What a wonderful time . . . a time “full of wonder.”
A trip as complicated, costly, and detail intensive as this would not have been possible without the assistance and support of many people. Our many friends in Italy, especially Claudio Re (soon to be a graduate student at UNI!), removed many obstacles and made easy what might have been difficult. The support and good will of the faculty and staff of the School of Music went a long way in making possible this venture. Special thanks to Dr. John Vallentine for his unflagging support, and for finding much needed funds.
During the trip itself, everyone did their part to make the journey a great success. Dr. Burkhardt went along mostly for moral support, but ended up being a valued member of the team and smoothing out several rough spots. David Mason, Cindi’s husband, was a great help and an untiring supporter for the students. Chuck Pugh, GBPAC Assistant Technical Director, and his lovely wife, were very helpful in taking care of concert logistics, and helping students sort out unexpected difficulties.
This trip was planned and intended as an event much more than a mere “holiday.” It was intended as a mission to share our joy of music-making with the people of Italy. In so doing, we hoped to provide a model for the bands in Northern Italy . . . a model for performance repertoire, for concert etiquette, and for a level of musical expression which brings listeners to a white heat! Judging from audience reaction in each concert, from newspaper reviews, and from the letters from our hosts and those who heard and felt our message . . . we were successful on every count! Vive Italia!
“There were so many things I experienced that changed the way I view my life; changed it for the better. I really loved the Italian people, their reception to our music-making, as well as their national pride; the way they promptly rose to sing their national hymn. I do not think there are words to describe how wonderful this trip was.”
~~ Trevis Young, freshman ~~
