BCCM Wind Ensemble October

Brooklyn College Conservatory Wind Ensemble
w/ Dr. Emily Moss March 11, 2009
Eric Whitacres October

Eric Whitacre was born in 1970 and received no musical training until he was eighteen years old. While he was pursuing an undergraduate degree at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, he began to sing in a choir. This experience led himm to study composition and choral conducting. Whitacre went on to receive a Master of Music degree in composition from the Juilliard School of Nw York where he studied with the composers John Corigliano and David Diamond.

October is one of WHitacres best known pieces for wind band. It was commissioned by the Nebraska Wind Consortium, a group of thirty highschool bands. It is dedicated to Brian Anderson, the man who put the consortium together and was premiered on May 14, 2000. About this piece Eric Whitacre says:

October is my favorite month. Something about the crisp autumn air and the subtle change in light always makes me a little sentimental, and as I started to sketch, I felt the same quiet beauty in the writing. The simple, pastoral melodies and subsequent harmonies are inspired by the great English Romantics (Vaughn Williams, Elgar) as I felt that this style was also perfectly suited to capture the natural and pastoral soul of the Season.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• BCCM
• Dr Emily Moss
• October
• Eric Whitacre
• Christian Alonzo

[jessalynpotter]

This sounds corny, but this is one of the only pieces that has brought tears to my eyes as I played it. I played it on french horn at the end of my junior year in my high school wind ensemble. We played it after a 6-movement Carmina Burana selection, and the effect was so magnificent. It was just one of those pieces where you get choked up and just play from the heart, not from the page. I don't think I'll ever forget playing this song.

[SNIGGLEDEEDUM]

somebody's lost in the cut time section!

[ZachoryStewart]

@jessalynpotter I play the french horn as well, but I'm just starting to play, though I am a junior. My school's wind ensemble is playing this piece, and it is indeed very moving. I play second french horn in the arrangement. This piece is challenging, but it's beauty outweighs the difficulty. I can honestly say it is one of the most beautiful musical pieces I have ever had the opportunity to play.

[fireborn333]

one person dosent like calssical music. jerk.

\

[Fallenhero077]

@bibblebob2008 Us too! Only we're playing it as one of our movements in our marching show this year. It's a little bit different and shorter, but still has a powerful effect!

[bibblebob2008]

we are playing this at my high school it's a really cool song

[JustinRaines]

Very nice