The UNCG Bands are proud to announce the UNCG Wind Ensemble’s latest recording project: The Centennial Collection. A celebration of the UNCG School of Music’s centennial (1921–2021), this new collection features 117 tracks totaling over 11 hours of music including digital re-releases from the UNCG Wind Ensemble’s nineteen recording projects between 1995 and 2015 as well as several recent recording projects. The collection is divided into five volumes: “Contemporary Cornerstones,” “Premieres,” “Classics,” “Toe-Tappers, Marches, and More,” and “Songs, Stories, and Dances.”
“I’m thrilled to finally share The Centennial Collection,” says Dr. Jonathan Caldwell, Director of Bands. “This project is a testament to the UNCG Wind Ensemble’s incredible legacy and history, and we look forward to continuing to be leaders and innovators in the band movement well into the next century.”
This project is largely the result of the tireless efforts of Dr. John Locke who served as the director of bands at UNCG for thirty-six years. In many ways, this collection is a representation of his legacy, as much of the music in the collection was recorded by Dr. Locke, and he was instrumental in selecting tracks for inclusion and designing album themes. Dr. Kevin Geraldi, former director of instrumental ensembles, developed the idea for the collection, lead many of the recordings, and continued to work on the project even after leaving UNCG. Dennis Hopson, from the UNCG School of Music, served as the recording engineer, and Brad McMillan, also from the UNCG School of Music, designed the cover art. Kristin Arp, a doctoral student in instrumental conducting, digitized all the material that was only previously available on CD.
“Contemporary Cornerstones” features twenty pieces that form the foundation of modern band repertoire. In addition to re-releases, this volume also includes two recent recording projects including Judy Bozone’s Spilled Orange and John Mackey’s Drum Music.
“Premieres” features twelve pieces that were commissioned and premiered by the UNCG Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, and Casella Sinfonietta. In addition to re-releases, this volume also includes two recent recording projects with soprano Lindsay Kesselman: John Mackey’s Songs from the End of the World and D.J. Sparr’s Ella Que Llora. Written to honor John Locke’s retirement as the UNCG director of bands, volume 2 also features Jack Stamp’s No Brief Candle with Teri Bickham, soprano and UNCG professor of voice.
“Classics” features thirteen pieces from the core band repertoire. Special guests include the UNCG Chamber Singers and University Chorale on Igor Stravinsky’s Symphony of Psalms.
“Toe-Tappers, Marches, and More” features twelve pieces on the lighter side of band repertoire. Ranging from dance music of various styles to popular and lesser-known marches, including Sousa’s Hands Across the Sea, this volume pays tribute to the UNCG Wind Ensemble’s long-time tradition of “A Tribute to John Philip Sousa” concerts.
“Songs, Stories, and Dances” features thirteen pieces that tell stories of adventure, fantasy, time, and place. The UNCG Wind Ensemble shares captivating musical narratives and memorable melodies including Thomas Knox’s Sea Songs, Kenneth Hesketh’s Danceries, and selections from John Williams’ Star Wars.
Considered among the very finest collegiate band programs in the United States, the UNCG Bands are dedicated to the performance, study, and cultivation of wind band music of the highest quality.
In addition to its legacy of critically acclaimed recordings, the UNCG Wind Ensemble has enjoyed a distinguished record of performance. The band has performed across the United States in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia and toured in Europe in Austria, the Czech Republic, and Italy. The band has performed alongside the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” and performed in The Music Center at Strathmore (Bethesda, MD), the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.), Lincoln Center (New York City), and Dvořák Hall (Prague, Czech Republic).
The UNCG Wind Ensemble has performed for national conferences of the College Band Directors National Association, the American Bandmasters Association, and the National Band Association and frequently commissions and premieres new music for band.