On Thursday, February 20, at 7:30 p.m., Valencia College Symphonic Band collaborated with the Orlando Concert Band to perform the “Symphonic Band Community Concert”, five classic pieces of literature for wind ensembles under the direction of Music Professor Jonathan Territo. Of the over 100 players onstage to perform band literature classics, Valencia College had 35 members.
Their collaboration speaks to the number of players needed to bring about these pieces. Mr. Territo said, “Not enough humans [at Valencia] for these pieces to be played.”
The program consisted of pieces composed by John Philip Sousa, Paul Hindemith, Percy Aldridge Grainger, Charles Ives, and Alfred Reed.
Territo said the reason these pieces were chosen is that “they are strong band classics.” These songs also allowed for “community outreach and created an opportunity for ensemble music,” Territo added.
The concert was about forty minutes long, opening with “Washington Post March” by John Philip Sousa, and finishing with “El Camino Real (A Latin Fantasy)” by Alfred Reed. “El Camino Real” was the longest song with ten minutes of playtime.
According to Territo, it took the band six weeks to prepare for this concert, He also added that working with the OCB was “tremendous,” and “great for the students.”
Trumpet player and civil engineer student at Valencia East Campus, Grace Muench, shared how it was to collaborate with OCB, “They are very accepting and encouraging,” she said.
One of the hardest pieces during rehearsals for Muench was “March” by Paul Hindemith. “I kept not counting on time and never able to recover even after the first couple beats.” Muench said.
When approaching the audience members and asked what their favorite piece was, Valencia College student Kevin Cardona said how “The Sussex Mummers by Grainger” caught his attention. “I played a song by Grainger in high school,” Cardona added.
At the end of the last piece, Territo conducted with passion to the point his baton broke in half, landing at the feet of one of the players on the right side of the stage. The concert concluded with Mr. Territo and both bands receiving a minute-long standing ovation.
Collaborations like this happen once a year, says Territo, and throughout the year Valencia’s Symphonic Band collaborates with Valencia singers and Art Department where art is created alongside the music. This is the third time Valencia band and has collaborated with the OCB. Territo appreciates the opportunity to carry out their mission: celebrating and preserving America’s musical heritage.
The OCB is a 70-member, select wind ensemble that operates as not-for-profit. Founded in 1989 by Central Florida musicians, their members include professional, semi-professional, and amateur musicians, all volunteers who enrich the community with live musical performances. Around 12 OCB members are Valencia College alumni, according to Mr. Territo.
