Author Archives: mwe

MWE Spring 2024 Concert: “Year of the Dragon”

The Manhattan Wind Ensemble presents Year of the Dragon, a celebration of the Chinese zodiac. Set against the backdrop of New York’s vibrant cultural tapestry, this concert promises to take you on an enchanting journey through the stars, with each note embodying the spirit and characteristics of the zodiac’s astrological signs. From the powerful roar of the dragon to the graceful gallop of the horse, experience an unforgettable musical odyssey featuring pieces by Chen Yi, John Mackey, Eric Whitacre, Chen Qian, and more.

Tickets

https://www.symphonyspace.org/events/vp-year-of-the-dragon

Date and time

Saturday, May 18th · 8 – 9:30pm EDT

Location

Symphony Space (Peter Jay Sharp Theatre)
2537 Broadway, New York, NY, United States

About the Performers

Manhattan Wind Ensemble
Founded in 2007, the Manhattan Wind Ensemble is a beacon of artistic excellence in New York City, bringing together professional and semi-professional musicians to explore and expand the wind band literature. Known for its commitment to new music, including several world premieres, the ensemble continues to push the boundaries of symphonic winds.

Announcing Our Winter 2024 Concert: Sin Límites

Join us for a groundbreaking evening as the Manhattan Wind Ensemble, the Sergio de Lope Trio, and Dr. Demondrae Thurman come together for “Sin Límites,” a concert that transcends musical boundaries. This unique collaboration celebrates the fusion of flamenco, jazz, and symphonic winds, offering an unparalleled musical experience that connects genres, cultures, and traditions.

Date and time

Saturday, March 16 · 7 – 8:30pm EDT

Location

Centennial Memorial Temple
120 West 14th Street New York, NY 10011

Tickets

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mwe-winter-2024-concert-sin-limites-tickets-838288291847

Program

  • El Camino Real – Alfred Reed
  • Sin Límites – Sergio de Lope
  • Joyride – Michael Markowski
  • Heritage Concerto for Euphonium and Band – Anthony Barfield, feat. Dr. Demondrae Thurman

About the Concert

“Sin Límites” is not just a concert; it’s a journey through the evolving landscape of music. Sergio de Lope’s vision of blending traditional flamenco with the rich textures of a wind ensemble comes to life in a performance that promises to be both innovative and mesmerizing. Alongside the Manhattan Wind Ensemble’s diverse repertoire and Dr. Thurman’s performance of the Heritage Concerto, this concert is a testament to the power of music to cross boundaries and unite diverse audiences.

About the Performers

Manhattan Wind Ensemble
Founded in 2007, the Manhattan Wind Ensemble is a beacon of artistic excellence in New York City, bringing together professional and semi-professional musicians to explore and expand the wind band literature. Known for its commitment to new music, including several world premieres, the ensemble continues to push the boundaries of symphonic winds.

Sergio de Lope Trio
At the forefront of flamenco-jazz fusion, Sergio de Lope and his trio redefine flamenco for a new generation. With a repertoire that bridges flamenco and jazz, Sergio de Lope, an award-winning flutist and saxophonist, brings his innovative compositions to the global stage, challenging conventions and exploring new soundscapes.

Dr. Demondrae Thurman
A virtuoso of the euphonium, Dr. Demondrae Thurman of the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music is celebrated for his exceptional talent and international acclaim. His performances, marked by technical brilliance and emotional depth, have captivated audiences around the world, making him a leading figure in brass music.

Announcing Our Fall 2023 Concert: “Our Favorite Things”

Prepare to embark on a musical journey like no other with the Manhattan Wind Ensemble as we proudly present “Our Favorite Things,” our fall 2023 concert. This unique and unforgettable evening celebrates the heart and soul of wind band music as we perform true staples and masterworks of the repertoire. From nostalgic to jubilant to introspective, join us on this exploration of emotion through wind music.

Program:

  • Overture to Candide – Leonard Bernstein, arr. Clare Grundman
  • October – Eric Whitacre
  • Lincolnshire Posy – Percy Aldridge Grainger
  • An American in Paris – George Gershwin, arr. Jerry Brubaker
  • Give Us This Day – David Maslanka

Location

Church of the Heavenly Rest1085 5th Avenue New York, NY 10128

Tickets Available

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/mwe-fall-2023-concert-our-favorite-things-tickets-754246630977

An Italian Night

June 4, 2022

Rossini – Overture to La Gazza Ladra
Respighi – Huntingtower
Cesarini – Blue Horizons
Morricone – Moment for Morricone

Respighi – Pini di Roma Mvt. 3 and 4

Music Director – Sarah Fernandez

Guest Conductor – Davide Sgobbi

Program features exclusively Italian composers. Joining us will be our guest Conductor Davide Sgobbi who is coming all the way from Italy! Davide is Maestro at Corpo Bandistico Legnanese APS (Legnano MI, Italy), and Maestro at Orchestra Accademica (Legnano MI, Italy)

Getting the Band Back together

We are excited to get back and are doing so with a brand-new rehearsal venue on the Upper East Side.

There are many returning musicians, but new members are welcome. We are looking particularly to strengthen/ have openings in our Double Reeds (Oboe, Bassoon), French Horns, Low Brass (Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba), and Percussion sections.

FALL 2021 Season Dates:
First Rehearsal: Monday, October 4. 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm [Avenue Church NYC, 1745 First Avenue]
Dress Rehearsal: Sunday, December 5
Fall Concert: Saturday, December 11.

Onward and Upward

Sarah Quiroz, Music Director
Jennifer Theilacker, Associate Conductor
Saturday, March 7, 8 PM
The Dimenna Center for Classical Music, Cary Hall

Audio
Abrams Pursuit – David R. Holsinger

Sheltering Sky – John Mackey

Angels in the Architecture – Frank Ticheli.

The Ash Grove (Traditional, MWE vocal quartet)

The Ash Grove – Julie Giroux

Variations on ‘America’ – Charles Ives

Pineapple Poll (Finale) – Sullivan arr. Mackerras

Download all (.zip)


Women in Composing

As the library of great wind band works continues to grow, now more than ever is it essential that our ensembles integrate music that not only is musically diverse, but exposes listener and performer alike to works by composers of varying gender, nationality and color.

For its Spring Concert, the Manhattan Wind Ensemble will be performing a program composed entirely of works by women. Featured composers include Jodie Blackshaw, Chen Yi, Rosalie Burrell, JoAnne Harris, Shelley Hanson, and Björk.

Music Director Sarah Fernández was inspired by a fellow musician in the ensemble to cultivate a program featuring the quality, meaningful repertoire written by women actively composing for wind band.

Support our programming and contribute to a campaign to support this concert: https://www.crowdrise.com/o/en/campaign/spring-concert

The program includes:

Overture to Dancer in the Dark – Björk
Spring Festival – Chen Yi
Laila – Rosalie Burrell
Albanian Dances – Shelley Hanson (guest conductor, Laurel Stinson)
Twist – Jodie Blackshaw
The Lighthouse – Joanne Harris
One Life Beautiful – Julie Giroux

Mother Earth (Spring 2018)

Sarah Quiroz, Music Director
Justin R. Stolarik, Associate Conductor
Thursday, May 24, 8 PM
B’nai Jeshurun

Audio
Mother Earth – David Maslanka.

Bloom – Steven Bryant. Conductor: Justin R. Stolarik

Poema Alpestre – Franco Cesarini.

City Trees – Michael Markowski.

First Suite in Eb – Gustav Holst.

Download all (.zip)

UNITED/nations

Sarah Quiroz, Music Director
Justin R. Stolarik, Associate Conductor
Thursday, March 15, 8 PM
B’nai Jeshurun

Audio
Mangulina – Paul Basler. Conductor: Justin R. Stolarik

Sentimentals, No. 1: Colonial Song
– Percy Grainger. Conductor: Justin R. Stolarik

Concerto Grosso for Woodwind Quartet
and Wind Orchestra
– Heitor Villa-Lobos. featuring principal players from the West Point Band:
Sgt. 1st Class Torin Olsen, flute
Sgt. 1st Class Anna Pennington, oboe
Sgt. 1st Class Kristen Mather de Andrade, clarinet Staff Sgt. Briana Lehman, bassoon

Selections from The Sound of Music – Robert Russell Bennett

Cuban Overture – George Gershwin arr. Mark Rogers

Download all (.zip)

Program
Program

Photos
Courtesy of Renee Nicole Gray: