Event Title
Equity, Advocacy, Justice, and COVID-19—Programming for the Wind Ensemble of Our Time
Date of Publication
3-26-2021
Document Type
Paper
Abstract / Program Notes
Historically, music has often reflected the social and political climates of its respective time. Music composed today is no different—often alluding to some of the more prominent and painful aspects of contemporary American society. In recent years, choral compositions referencing social justice issues have become more widely incorporated and more openly discussed. In 2017, Chorus America, an organization focusing on “advocacy, research, and the advancement of the choral field,” launched an initiative in recognition of the need for repertoire that speaks to equity, advocacy, and social justice.
Like their choral peers, students in college wind bands have a variety of ensemble experiences based on many factors: size and enrollment of the institution, locale, politics, college/university affiliations, etc. Outside of the premiere ensembles at most universities, and particularly during the time of COVID-19, many college wind bands struggle to maintain complete and standard instrumentation due to irregular meeting schedules and rotating enrollment. Programming for ensembles that regularly face these challenges is often a daunting task in its own right, before even considering music that speaks to the current socio-political climate. This session seeks to highlight and identify quality repertoire that speaks to social justice issues and is appropriate for wind bands facing these challenges.
Biography
Jared Staub is Director of Bands and Assistant Professor of Music at Plymouth State University where he conducts the Symphonic Band and teaches courses in conducting and instrumental music education. Committed to the creation of new music, he has presented multiple world and regional premieres of new music for winds. As an orchestrator, he works closely with noted American composer Robert Beaser on wind transcriptions of his compositions “Double Chorus” and “Evening Prayer.” Dr. Staub has presented his work at both the College Band Directors National Association National and Southern Division Conferences and The College Music Society Southwestern Division Regional Conference. He earned degrees from Michigan State University, the University of Kentucky, and Central Connecticut State University. He serves on the New Hampshire Band Directors Association executive board as Higher Education Representative and New England Band Directors Institute Coordinator, and has professional affiliations with the College Band Directors National Association, The College Music Society, The World Association for Symphonic Bands and Ensembles, and is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi.
Joshua Kearney is Assistant Professor, Assistant Director of Bands, and Director of Athletic Bands at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Dr. Kearney maintains an active guest conducting schedule with ensembles locally and across the United States. In addition to his duties at UNO, Dr. Kearney serves as Music Director of the Nebraska Wind Symphony—an established adult wind band in its 44th concert season. An advocate of new music, Kearney regularly works with composers in the creation and performance of new works for winds. Dr. Kearney is also an active editor and arranger. In 2017, Boosey & Hawkes published Kearney’s critical edition of Emil Hartmann’s “Serenade for Winds” (Op. 43) in their acclaimed Windependence Chamber Ensemble series. Kearney earned degrees from Michigan State University and Columbus State University (GA). Kearney holds affiliations with the Nebraska State Bandmasters Association (NSBA), Nebraska Music Educators Association (NMEA), National Association for Music Education (NAfME), College Music Society (CMS), and the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA). Kearney also serves on the Executive Board for NSBA as Concert Band Chair and as Chair of the CBDNA Social Media Committee.
Keywords
Wind Ensemble, Covid-19, Advocacy
Equity, Advocacy, Justice, and COVID-19—Programming for the Wind Ensemble of Our Time
Historically, music has often reflected the social and political climates of its respective time. Music composed today is no different—often alluding to some of the more prominent and painful aspects of contemporary American society. In recent years, choral compositions referencing social justice issues have become more widely incorporated and more openly discussed. In 2017, Chorus America, an organization focusing on “advocacy, research, and the advancement of the choral field,” launched an initiative in recognition of the need for repertoire that speaks to equity, advocacy, and social justice.
Like their choral peers, students in college wind bands have a variety of ensemble experiences based on many factors: size and enrollment of the institution, locale, politics, college/university affiliations, etc. Outside of the premiere ensembles at most universities, and particularly during the time of COVID-19, many college wind bands struggle to maintain complete and standard instrumentation due to irregular meeting schedules and rotating enrollment. Programming for ensembles that regularly face these challenges is often a daunting task in its own right, before even considering music that speaks to the current socio-political climate. This session seeks to highlight and identify quality repertoire that speaks to social justice issues and is appropriate for wind bands facing these challenges.