It’s Tasty Trumpet Time!

Dear Friends and members of the LA Winds Family,

In this, the 9^th in our “Summer Sounds” series, we begin with one of the most memorable performances in the history of your LA Winds.  Former LA Winds principal trumpet player, Ron Barrows, is featured in a short clip of an unforgettable 2004 performance of Rodrigo’s classic “Concierto de Aranjuez.”  This concert took place in the main piazza of Recco, Italy (just outside of Genoa), and was one the highlights of your Winds’ first European tour.

Click here for “Concierto de Aranjuez”

Next, LA Winds assistant conductor Paul Piazza will present you with his fascinating and informative introduction to the trumpet.  This video and its follow-up tutorial has already been viewed hundreds of times by LAUSD students as part of your LA Winds joint educational venture with LA Unified.

Click here for “Introduction to The Trumpet”

We’ll close our trumpet extravaganza with trumpet virtuoso Jens Lindemann of the UCLA faculty and formerly with the Canadian Brass performing “Dreaming of the Masters.”  Some of you long time supporters of the LA Winds may recall Jens’ performance of this stunning work with us during our season at CSUN’s Plaza del Sol Auditorium.

Click here for “Dreaming of The Masters”

Our next installment of “LA Winds” sounds will include our entire clarinet section performing highlights from Weber’s classic “Concertino.”  Then our very own Geoff Nudell will introduce you to the artistry and versatility of the clarinet.  I’ll close this mini “clarinetfest” with my performance of one of Piazzola’s favorite Argentinian tangos — along with some provocative visuals!

Thanks, as always, for your continued support!

All the best,

Sincerely,

Stephen P. Piazza
Artistic Director
Los Angeles Symphonic Winds

The Dynamics of Percussion

Dear Friends and Members of the LA Winds Family,

Today’s “Summer Sounds of Your LA Winds” offers you an in-depth look at what is, without a doubt, the most visually exciting section of our world-class ensemble — the percussion section!

We’ll begin with LA Winds alum Matt Howard (now principal percussionist of our very own Los Angeles Philharmonic) as he and his Philharmonic colleagues present an entertaining and virtuosic reading of “The States Medley.”  This upbeat old-time xylophone and marimba classic is guaranteed to bring some much-needed smiles to our LA Winds family.

Click here for “The States Medley”

Next, our current principal percussionist, Brian O’Connor will take you on an interesting journey into the intricacies of the multi-faceted snare drum.  As many of you know, Brian is head of the instrumental music program at LAUSD’s John Locke High School where his knowledge and enthusiasm have been a true inspiration to hundreds of young musicians.

Click here for the Snare Drum Presentation by Brian O’Connor

A wide variety of percussion instruments — sirens, gongs, temple blocks and more — are used by composer Edgar Varèse in his classic “Ionisation.”  This fascinating 6-minute piece, composed in 1929, is a staple in the Percussion Ensemble repertoire and will give you an exciting visual look at the percussion family of instruments.

Click here for “Ionisation” by Edgar Varèse

We’ll close with a brief portion of a 2014 interview with my LA Opera Orchestra colleague, Therese Dimond, who will discuss her status as a female percussionist as well as her musical admiration for one of LA Opera’s most noteworthy and now controversial artists.

Click here for Therese’s insights into the world of the female percussionist

In our next video, Paul Piazza will present for you his introduction to the trumpet.  This video and its follow-up tutorial have already been viewed hundreds of times by LAUSD students as part of your LA Winds joint educational venture with LA Unified School District.  In addition, we’ll feature a short clip of former LA Winds principal trumpet, Ron Barrows, in an unforgettable performance of Rodrigo’s classic “Concierto de Aranjuez.” This performance in Recco, Italy (just outside of Genoa) was one the highlights of the Winds’ first European tour.  We’ll close our trumpet extravaganza with trumpet virtuoso Jens Lindemann of the UCLA faculty and formerly with the Canadian Brass performing “Dreaming of the Masters.”  Some of you may recall Jens’ performance of this stunning work with us during our season at CSUN’s Plaza del Sol Auditorium.

Stay safe everyone and, as always, thanks for your continued support of your LA Winds!

All the best,

Sincerely,

Stephen P. Piazza
Artistic Director
Los Angeles Symphonic Winds

Salute to the Flute!

Dear Friends and Members of the LA Winds Family,

This week’s installment of “Summer Sounds of Your LA Winds” – the 7^th in our series of entertaining and informative videos – is also the 2^nd in our series of educational videos being shared with the Los Angeles Unified School District.

The LA Winds world-class flute section is featured this week as we begin our video presentation with a performance of the famous “Dance of the Blessed Spirits” from the opera Orpheus and Eurydice. I’ve paired the lovely LA Winds 2018 flute section performance of this work with a beautiful ballet setting from Pina Bausch’s production at the Palais Garnier in 2008. Our co-principal flutist Juan Rivera can be heard playing Gluck’s ethereal melody.

Click here for “Dance of the Blessed Spirits”

Next up is our own Alicia Pizzi, whom you’ve seen in a number of our earlier videos. Our principal flutist when the Winds were in its formative stages a number of years ago, Alicia left us to pursue a career in education.  Now a member of the faculty at LAUSD’s Sendak Elementary School in North Hollywood, she rejoined the Winds three seasons ago where her musical artistry once again contributes to the Winds’ artistic excellence. I’m sure you’ll enjoy her enthusiastic and informative introduction to the world of the flute.

Click here for the Flute Introduction by Alicia Pizzi

Finally, I’ve included an entertaining video featuring Alicia and her father, the legendary woodwind specialist Ray Pizzi, in a performance of the 3^rd movement from Pierre Gabaye’s “Sonatine for Flute and Bassoon”.  Ray provided the playful images that accompany this charming piece. I was privileged to be in attendance when this was recorded at Alicia’s CSUN graduation recital.

Click here for “Sonatine for Flute and Bassoon”

Next week we’ll feature our principal percussionist, Brian O’Connor sharing his insights into the fascinating instrumental diversity of the LA Winds percussion section.  In addition, we’ll feature highlights from Michael Daugherty’s “Raise the Roof” and some interesting words from LA Opera’s timpanist Therese Dimond.

Thanks again for your continued support, and we remind to stay safe as these challenging times continue.

All best,

Sincerely,

Stephen P. Piazza
Artistic Director
Los Angeles Symphonic Winds

Hear, Hear For The Horns!

Dear Friends and Members of the LA Winds Family:

Welcome to the 6th in our series of “Summer Sounds of Your LA Winds” presentations!  Today we launch an exciting program of videos designed not only for you, our loyal supporters, but also for the teachers and the music students of the Los Angeles Unified School District. We are privileged, indeed, to do our part–thanks to your ongoing support–to help keep music alive in our schools…especially during these challenging and uncertain times.

From this point forward, each installment of our “Summer Sounds” series will highlight both the spectacular sounds of your LA Winds as well as some of our virtuoso players as they demonstrate their instruments. Hundreds of LAUSD students will also be receiving specially prepared tutorials on each instrument. This week we feature several members of our outstanding horn section: Jason Beaumont, Jennifer Bliman and Joy Armstrong.

We begin with Jennifer performing Chuck Fernandez’s exciting “Scherzo for Horn” from a 2010 recording.

Click Here to view “Scherzo for Horn”

Next up is our current co-principal horn player, Jason Beaumont, who will introduce himself to you as well as giving you some fascinating and entertaining insights into one of the most noble, powerful and hauntingly beautiful instruments in the LA Winds family—the French horn.

Click Here to view Jason’s Horn Demonstration

Finally, we present the ending section of the heroic Schumann Concert Piece for 4 horns that we recorded in concert on April 14, 2019. The soloists include Jennifer, Jason and Joy as well as guest artist Chris Wilson.

Click Here to view “Concert Piece for 4 Horns”

I also want to recognize the 4 other members of the LA Winds outstanding horn section who can be seen in other videos that we’ll be releasing as part of our “Summer Sounds” series–Marcello Olivatto, Michelle Sadic, Phyllis Rautenberg and Lauren White.  I should also add that our entertaining, informative and educational “Summer Sounds” series will continue throughout the fall and winter — right up the time when our live performances resume in a welcoming and safe musical environment.

In our next installment (scheduled for release on September 1st), you’ll meet longtime LA Winds member (and LAUSD teacher) Alicia Pizzi as she introduces herself and her flute – plus a featured performance with her father, woodwind legend, Ray Pizzi.  We’ll begin that program with the entire LA Winds flute section performing the “Dance of the Blessed Spirits” in a beautiful ballet setting from Pina Bausch’s production of Orpheus and Eurydice at the Palais Garnier in 2008. It promises to be another great entry in the “Summer Sounds of Your LA Winds” series.

Many thanks for your continued support and for sharing these videos with your friends, families and social network connections!

Stay safe,
Sincerely,

Stephen P. Piazza
Artistic Director
Los Angeles Symphonic Winds

LA Winds All Stars – Composer Charles Fernandez

Dear Friends and Members of the LA Winds Family:

This installment of your LA Winds “Summer Sounds” series features our Emmy award winning composer, arranger, conductor and performer, Chuck Fernandez—truly one of the LA Winds brightest stars for nearly 20 years!

We are featuring three of Chuck’s most inspiring works for Band including his “Windsor Processional,” a work that in its sonic and regal majesty pays tribute to the time Chuck spent at the Royal College of Music in London.  This was one of the works we performed at the world-famous Midwest Clinic in Chicago in 2004.  Chuck conducts this stirring 2010 Los Angeles performance.

Click here to view “Windsor Processional” 

Next up is one of my personal favorites, “Persepolis Bazaar,” an evocative work conjuring up the sights and sounds of a day at a Middle Eastern bazaar –  from the early morning reflective prayer to the day-long songs, dances and excitement of ancient Persia’s ceremonial capital.

Click here to view “Persepolis Bazaar”

The next piece, “For Sir David,” is one of Chuck’s most recent works for concert band.  This inspiring work was commissioned by California State University, Northridge to honor their internationally acclaimed former Wind Ensemble conductor, Sir David Whitwell.  It makes brilliant use of some of Sir David’s favorite compositional motives and is a fitting tribute to one of the Wind Band world’s most esteemed figures.

Click here to view “For Sir David”

In our next installment of the “Summer Sounds” series, which we’ll release on August 15, you’ll begin to meet some of the Winds’ “superstar” musicians as they introduce themselves and their instruments to you.  We’ll also feature musical selections from the Winds extensive catalogue of video recordings, so you can hear these LA Winds stars in performance.  We’ll begin these presentations—which will also be available to students in the LAUSD—with our horn co-principal Jason Beaumont and his colleagues Joy Armstrong, Jennifer Bliman and Chris Wilson.  I’m sure you’ll find this series both entertaining and informative.

Many thanks for your continued support and feedback!  I want to thank all of you who continue to watch this important series of LA Winds presentations and share them with your family, friends and social media contacts.  We’ve had nearly 1,500 views of our videos since we began this series in June.  If you are enjoying the Summer Sounds of Your LA Winds series, we invite you to share us with all of your friends and family by passing this email to them, and by sharing this on your favorite social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. And if you missed any past issues of Summer Sounds, you can see all of the Summer Sounds videos here.

As we move forward, let me once again thank you for continued support and ask you, as always, to stay safe – wear masks, keep distance, wash hands often — as we await the day when live music doesn’t have to be heard on a phone, tablet, laptop, computer or TV!

Sincerely,

Stephen P. Piazza
Artistic Director
Los Angeles Symphonic Winds

Dear Friends and Members of the LA Winds Family:

The 4^th installment of our “Summer Sounds of Your LA Winds” series features saxophone virtuoso Dale Underwood, whom the Washington Post called “the Heifetz of the saxophone.” Click on the link below to hear Dale in a spectacular performance of “A Gershwin Fantasy” with your LA Winds at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago in 2004.

Click here for “A Gershwin Fantasy”

As many of you know, Dale has performed with the Winds as recently as 2016 when we performed the beautiful “Tosca Fantasy” at Disney Hall.  The 1^st time I heard Dale perform this was in 2006 when he and Col. Arnald Gabriel collaborated with the Winds to perform Puccini’s haunting melodies along with a “tour de force” rendition of Jimmy Dorsey’s “Oodles of Noodles.” Click the links below to relive these memorable performances.

Click here for “Tosca Fantasy”

Click here for “Oodles of Noodles”

Besides these two appearances, Dale also appeared with the Winds on the summer “Concerts in Warner Park” series and soloed with us when we were featured in the 2007 Mid-Europe Band and Orchestra Festival in Schladming, Austria – one of former Governor Schwarzenegger’s favorite ski resorts!

On Saturday, August 1, you are in for a real treat with our next Summer Sounds issue: “The Magical Music of Charles Fernandez!” Our own Composer In Residence, Charles Fernandez will present some of his most exciting works performed by Your LA Winds. You don’t want to miss this!

Next, on August 15, the “Summer Sounds” series, in addition to bringing back memorable concerts from the past, will also begin to feature individual players from your LA Winds. They will be demonstrating their instruments – and giving you the chance to get to know us on an even more personal basis. These videos will also form a part of a series of presentations to be distributed to students and teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District in the fall as they utilize new and novel resources to keep music alive during these uncertain pandemic times.  We are proud indeed to partner with the LAUSD in this most worthwhile project.

If you are enjoying the Summer Sounds of Your LA Winds series, we invite you to share us with all of your friends and family by passing this email to them, and by sharing this on your favorite social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. And if you missed any past issues of Summer Sounds, you can see all of the Summer Sounds videos here.

As we move forward, let me once again thank you for continued support and ask you, as always, to stay safe – wear masks, keep distance, wash hands often — as we await the day when live music doesn’t have to be heard on a phone, tablet, laptop, computer or TV!

Sincerely,

Stephen P. Piazza
Artistic Director,
Los Angeles Symphonic Winds

Dear Friends and Members of the LA Winds Family:

The third installment of the “Summer Sounds of Your LA Winds” series begins with a heartfelt video elegy to those who have been part of the on-going struggle for racial equality and the suffering brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Third Video Showcase - Elegy for Our Times

I am performing an arrangement of the Adagio movement from J.S. Bach’s g minor Violin Sonata to express the profound sadness we all feel at the tragic consequences that too often have accompanied these monumental movements and events.  In the first part of the video I’ve included photos of such well-known men, women and children as Nelson Mandela, Maya Angelou, Martin Luther King Jr., Lyndon Johnson, Nina Simone, Muhammed Ali, Cecil Murray, Rodney King, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, his daughter Gianna, Martin Luther King III and his wife Arndrea, and their daughter Yolanda. I have intentionally left the 2^nd half of the video (beginning at 1:55), which deals with the COVID-19 pandemic, without specific historically recognizable figures to underscore the tragic universality of this dreaded virus.  The only exception to this is the inclusion of the famed jazz pianist and educator, Ellis Marsalis.

The second video in this third installment features two artists who, over the course of over 25 years, have helped bring your LA Winds to our current level of international recognition. Geoff Nudell and SSgt. Parker Gaims are presented in their virtuoso March 2017 performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s Concert Piece No. 2 for clarinet and basset horn, op. 114. I’m sure you’ll enjoy their incredible artistry. Mendelssohn Concert Piece No. 2

And in our next installment, to be released on July 15, you’ll be dazzled by saxophonist Dale Underwood whom the Washington Post hailed as “The Heifetz of the Saxophone.”  Thanks, as always, for your continued support, and we look forward to your comments and suggestions as we prepare for our January 2021 re-opening festivities!

We’d love to hear your feedback on our Summer Sounds series.  Please send your thoughts and comments to tickets.lawinds@gmail.com.

Best Regards,

Stephen P. Piazza
Artistic Director,
Los Angeles Symphonic Winds

Our second installment of the “Summer Sounds of Your Los Angeles Symphonic Winds” series is an inspiring salute to the men and women who have served in the U.S. Military.

Click on the links below to hear the exciting videos we’ve entitled “Marching Along with the LA Winds.”

Second Video Showcase with Introduction by Maestro Piazza

Or choose from the list below to view specific performances only:

1. Service Song Medley
2. Invincible Eagle
3. Bravura
4. March from 1941
5. Stars and Stripes Forever

As many of you know, the Winds have been privileged to share the concert stage both here and abroad with such distinguished military personnel as Winds alum Parker Gaims of the USMC.  Parker can be seen — long before he joined the Marines — in several of our videos.  In the coming weeks, you’ll also hear the Winds perform with Navy saxophone soloist Dale Underwood, whom the Washington Post hailed as “the Heifetz of the Saxophone.”  In this week’s video, you’ll see me leading the legendary US Army Field Band. Also this week, Col. Arnald Gabriel, former Director of the USAF band, leads the Winds in a stirring rendition of “Stars and Stripes Forever.” The LA Winds have been deeply honored to work with Col. Gabriel on a number of occasions, and we continue to show our gratitude to him for his efforts in WWII as part of the original landing force at Normandy on D Day.

We hope you enjoy this second installment of our “Summer Sounds” series, and we look forward to our next presentation which will include a very moving elegy to all those who have journeyed through the challenging times of racial inequality, global pandemics, and social struggles for justice. We’ll also revisit the stunning performance by Parker Gaims and our own Geoff Nudell of one of the virtuosic Mendelssohn duets for clarinet and basset horn.

But for now, enjoy the sights and sounds of “Marching Along with Your LA Winds!”

We’d love to hear your feedback on our Summer Sounds series.  Please send your thoughts and comments to tickets.lawinds@gmail.com.

Best Regards,

Stephen P. Piazza
Artistic Director,
Los Angeles Symphonic Winds

Welcome to the 1^st installment of our “Summer Sounds of Your LA Winds” series!

This week we’re featuring the 2003 video which led to our being recognized as one of the premiere community ensembles in all of America — and throughout the world!  This was our first professionally recorded video, and it led to our being selected as featured performers at the internationally acclaimed Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.

We were the first community band west of the Mississippi to ever perform at this prestigious annual convention which attracts nearly 20,000 attendees from around the world. Ron Nelson’s exciting and hauntingly beautiful “Aspen Jubilee” is the first selection on the video, followed by the rousing “Mad Major” march by Kenneth Alford.

This will serve as a great prelude to our upcoming video “Marching Along with the LA Winds” — to be released to you, our loyal supporters, on Jun 15^th.

So just relax and click the link below to enjoy the 1^st installment of “Summer Sounds of Your LA Winds!”

• Aspen Jubilee and Mad Major March with Maestro Piazza Introduction
• Video only: Kenneth J. Alford's Mad Major March
• Video only: Ron Nelson's Aspen Jubilee

We’d love to hear your feedback on our Summer Sounds series.  Please send your thoughts and comments to tickets.lawinds@gmail.com.

Best Regards,

Stephen P. Piazza
Artistic Director,
Los Angeles Symphonic Winds