Lawrence University Wind Ensemble
CBDNA Conference performance tour
March 13-15, 2008
Omaha, Nebraska
Updated January 24, 2008
What and Why
The CBDNA (College Band Directors National Association) is, as you might guess, an organization for the nation’s conductors of bands and wind ensembles at the collegiate level. The association holds national conferences on odd-numbered years and regional conferences during even years.
The Lawrence University Wind Ensemble has been invited to perform, based on a submitted recording of live performances, at this year’s conference of the North Central Division to be held in Omaha March 13-15. The North Central Division represents the states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.
This is one of the strongest regions in the country for university bands and wind ensembles and it is a significant honor to be invited to perform. Additionally, our performance time on the final day of the conference can be considered a particular honor as a “marquee” time slot. On our way to Omaha we will also perform at two Cedar Rapids, Iowa, high school programs for the purposes of both recruiting and performance continuity.
The audience at the conference will consist of other collegiate wind band conductors, members of other participating ensembles and general audience members from the Omaha area. Conference performances of this type are important not only for the immediate impact on those who are present, but also for the inevitable “ripple effect”; word of how an ensemble performs gets out very quickly and its reputation can be impacted, positively or negatively, for several years as a result.
Obviously, it is a great honor to perform but there are expectations and a level of sophisticated scrutiny accompanying these performances that far exceeds almost any other kind of concert.
When
As communicated to you at the beginning of the year, the timing of this performance is not ideal: the end of Term II 10th week. Please communicate with your professors well in advance (like now) about this; conservatory faculty are aware of this performance but college professors may not be. I will send a memo and make additional documentation available to anybody who needs it. Please let me know if you foresee any potential issues.
Here is a very rough idea of the schedule:
Thursday, March 13
Depart Lawrence mid-morning
Perform at Linn-Mar High School in an evening concert
Stay the night in a Cedar Rapids area hotel
Friday, March 14
Perform a morning concert at Cedar Rapids Jefferson High School
Depart for Omaha, arrive mid afternoon
Attend Northwestern Symphonic Band concert in the evening
Saturday, March 15
Morning 8:30 AM Dress rehearsal (note change)
Concert: 2:30 PM
Depart immediately after concert. Due to bus company regulations, we will probably have to stop part of the way back, returning home on Sunday before noon.
Who
All members of the Wind Ensemble will be involved.
$$$$$
All expenses, including lodging, will be covered by the university. You will need cash for meals but will be reimbursed by the university for up to $60 for the whole trip (keep those receipts!!!!)
Where
The conference is being hosted by the University of Nebraska-Omaha and the conference performance will take place in the Strauss Performing Arts Center; by all accounts a beautiful concert hall which should be a great deal of fun to play in. Hotel accommodations are all taken care of, and more details will be forthcoming.
Program
Following is the program for this concert, which will be performed in full on March 1 during our regular home concert and some of which will also be performed on our January 28 concert:
Carolyn Bremer Early Light
Rodney Rodgers Prevailing Winds
Yo Goto Lachrymae
Dorothy Chang Sunan Dances
Andrew Boysen, Jr. Frenzy
This information will be posted on the wind ensemble web page and updated as more information becomes available. Please let me know what additional information you need, as questions you have are probably shared by others.
Thanks in advance for your work towards an outstanding performance!