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On Friday, May 2, under the direction of Mr. David Lewis and student teacher, Mr. Brandon White, the top instrumental ensemble at XHS, the Xenia High School Symphonic Band, earned the opportunity to perform at the Silver Melted Into Sound performance event at Wright State University.
The band performed 'Festivo' by Vaclav Nelhybel, conducted by Mr. Lewis, 'Fanfare and Triumph by James Swearingen, conducted by Mr. White, and 'Halcyon Hearts' by Katahj Copley, conducted by Mr. Lewis. Their performance garnered excellent comments by the adjudicators in attendance as well as some valuable rehearsal tips from two renowned collegiate professors in the field of music education, Dr. Shelley Jagow and Dr. Gretchen McNamara.
Following their stage performance, the ensemble participated in a Q&A with internationally recognized composer, Sonia Ivette Morales-Matos (b. 1961). Ms. Morales-Matos is a Puerto Rican composer, performer, and educator who belongs to a family of distinguished musicians. She has a BM from Berklee College of Music, where she studied composition and jazz, and a MM degree in both Composition and Jazz Studies from Indiana University in Bloomington.
Educationally, the students were able to learn how other cultures approach performing, and composing music, resiliency and problem solving in real-time performance situations and the process in obtaining a career in the field of music.
Mr. Lewis would like to thank XCS, XHS administration and faculty for the support and flexibility to allow us to travel to perform and the students for building an excellent team atmosphere over countless rehearsal hours in which they are able to develop in both character and musicianship; it is only through this process that they are able to come to the group understanding that it takes each individual's musical contributions and character to achieve a superior product through this meaningful process.