20th WASBE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS, GWANGJU – SOUTH KOREA
Performed by BYU Wind Symphony
Conducted by Dr. Shawn Smith
Recorded & Donated by Mark Custom
Purchase at http://www.markcustom.com/
[#281] December 09, 2024
WASBE2024 | 2023 | Wind Symphony | Grade 4 | 5' - 10' | Crossover
Unidad en Ritmo, by American composer and Michele Fernández is our Composition of the Week.
Unidad in Ritmo was premiered on February 16, 2023, at the CBDNA National Conference, in Athens, GA, USA, by the Florida A&M University Wind Symphony, with Shelby Chipman conducting.
The work is structured in four movements played without pause.
Guaguancó: Serenity in feeling friendship; Son Montuno: Joyful unity in play and dance; Bolero: through unity and mutual empathy; Afro Cuban: Adversity overcome by perseverance, hope and support.
“It is important to acknowledge that this artistic (and spiritual) union could not have occurred without the tragic circumstances surrounding the unforgivable transportation of enslaved people to the Caribbean. Thoughts often drifted to this fact while writing, and so some of the emotions stirred at the mere contemplation of their suffering may be felt in the Bolero and Afro-Cuban 6/8 sections. Each brief section represents elements of life that are best experienced (or endured) through unity, mutual support, and appreciation for the trials each of us experiences in our own way. It is also hoped that the exhilaration (in the wish to see others rise above their struggles) is also evident in the ending section, where the initial theme heard during the joyous (Son Montuno) returns towards the end of the Afro-Cuban 6/8 to represent the indomitable human spirit transcending the negative events that we may all suffer as a result of life's trials.”
Program notes by Michele Fernández
Unidad en Ritmo has a duration of 7’30 minutes and it is scored for a standard wind band setting. The music is available at Excelcia Music Publishing.
Unidad en Ritmo was performed by the Brigham Young University Wind Orchestra under Sean Smith, on July 19, 2024, during the 20th International WASBE Conference in Gwangju-Gyeonggi, South Korea.
This recording has been donated by Mark Custom. To purchase the entire performance of the Philharmonic Wind Orchestra, please visit http://www.markcustom.com/
Ms. Fernández frequently serves as a guest clinician/conductor for regional and all-state groups and honors Jazz/symphonic groups. She has appeared as a Midwest Clinic lecturer on rehearsal techniques (’07 & ’16), JEN '22 (two separate clinic topics) FMEA Conference lecturer, clinician for Clark College Annual Festival (WA), and frequent clinician for FSU summer camps.
Michele serves on the Education Committee for JEN (Jazz Education Network), is a sponsored clinician for Hal Leonard Publishing, HAPCO Foundation and in the past has also served as (freelance) guest clinician/conductor/guest lecturer for various universities, including UNCo, UNT, UM Frost, UF and others. She is also a co-founder of “Your Jazz Education Connection” consulting, along with J. Richard Dunscomb, providing both in-person and virtual guidance for educators and their students on various topics.
Michele recently retired from teaching after 30 years, where her Miami Senior High ensembles earned top honors and gained international acclaim. Her groups have been selected for appearances at the Midwest Clinic (Chicago ’93 & ’98), IAJE (Boston ’94 & NYC ’97), Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland ’96), FMEA Conference (Tampa ’94 & ’97) and national publications. Michele has been the subject of a documentary spot on CBS Sunday Morning, cover story in Band Director’s Guide and featured as an outstanding educator in Downbeat Magazine.
She is also an active oboist and percussionist in Miami and spent several years as a rhythm section member of a busy local Latin ensemble.
Her compositions have been premiered at Midwest, IAJE and Regional Honor/All-State venues.
Other works for winds include
· Of Endless Miles and Empty Rafts (2023)
· Proud of Me (2024)
· La Fiera Asturiana (2024)
· Embers of the Ancient Realms (to be premiered in 2025)
More information on Michele Fernandez