The Hanover Wind Symphony Exceeds All Expectations with their 25^th Anniversary Gala

Morristown, March 21, 2010  – The Hanover Wind Symphony played to a nearly sold out house at the Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts to an enthusiastic audience of over 1000.  The concert was billed as “Old Friends” which was their 25^th Anniversary Gala Concert.  Celebrating 25 years of bringing people to music and music to the community, the Symphony invited their Music Director Emeritus and Founder, Peter T. Boor and his successor, Music Director, Jason Nobel to share the podium with current Music Director, Matthew J. Paterno and Assistant Music Director, Kurt Zimmermann. 

(Jason Nobel, Peter T. Boor, Matthew J. Paterno, Kurt Zimmermann)

Joining the Hanover Wind Symphony for this special concert on Clarinet, Stanley Drucker the world renowned soloist and former New York Philharmonic Principal Clarinetist.  Mr. Drucker opened this afternoon’s performance with Rossini’s “Introduction, Theme and Variations”. The Symphony provided the accompaniment with their delicate playing of this piece which was the perfect back drop to showcase Mr, Drucker’s mastery of his instrument and beauty of his tone.  The audience responded with a rousing, standing ovation which set the tone for the rest of the concert.

(Kurt Zimmermann, Stanley Drucker, Matthew J. Paterno)

The next piece performed was the world premier of a new work commissioned by the Hanover Wind Symphony for their 25th Anniversary, “Winds Along The Whippany” by contemporary composer Sean O’Loughlin. From the opening fanfare in the brass to the whirling woodwind passages, this piece embraced the energy and spirit of the HWS. The opening fanfare transformed into the main melody of the piece with a distinct folk song feel. The woodwinds played a rapid sixteenth note figure throughout that represents the winds along the Whippany River. A fife and drum section appears to harken back to the revolutionary days. It passes off to the brass, expanding to the full ensemble with all the woodwinds functioning like a single fife player. From there, the fanfare returns in majestic fashion, leading to flourishing woodwinds as the piece accelerates to a celebratory ending. 

Jason Nobel then took the podium to conduct “O Magnum Mysterium” by Morten Lauridsen.  This piece demonstrated the depths of the wind band sound with its emotion and sensitivity.  At times the Symphony sounded like one instrument with the sounds of the brass and woodwinds combining into a single voice.

Joining the Hanover Wind Symphony for the first time since retiring as Music Director, Peter T. Boor strode to the podium to conduct one of his favorite pieces, George Gershwin’s “Strike Up The Band”.  This medley of familiar fragments and quotes from a wide range and variety of songs is full of fun and sly musical humor. It’s still unclear who enjoyed the piece more, the audience or Mr. Boor who clearly has not lost any of his vigor and enjoyment when conducting the ensemble.

The second half of the performance began with a piece commissioned by Peter T. Boor and presented as a gift to the Hanover Wind Symphony in honor and celebration of their 15^th Anniversary, “Hanover Festival” by British composer, Philip Sparke. Mr. Boor returned to the podium as is fitting since he conducted the piece’s World Premier some 10 years ago.  The piece began with a solemn brass fanfare leading to an expressive chorale with the woodwinds. Then the trumpets introduced an explosive vivo section, characterized by an energetic theme from the horns and low clarinets. A very challenging piece to play, the ensemble rose to the occasion and gave one of the most spirited performance of this piece to date.

Assistant Music Director, Kurt Zimmermann led the ensemble with “Appalachian Morning” by Robert Sheldon. This piece again highlights how light and delicate a group of this size can play. 

As a tribute and remembrance to members of the Hanover Wind Symphony who are no longer with us Mr. Paterno invited Mr. Boor to the podium once again as “Old Scottish Melody” had become a signature piece for the ensemble under Mr. Boor’s baton.

Closing the celebration of music was “The Hanover Silver March” which was composed in 2009 by HWS clarinetist John Centenaro to celebrate our 25^th Anniversary season.

As an encore, the Hanover Wind Symphony invited all former members in attendance to join the group for a rousing performance of John Philip Sousa's "The Stars and Stripes Forever".  A fitting end to a wonderful afternoon with Old Friends.