ES
Erick Smith
  • Music and Business Information Systems
  • Manchester, CT

Eastern Student Erick Smith of Manchester Performs in Wind Ensemble Fall Concert

2017 Oct 23

Eastern Connecticut State University's Wind Ensemble recently presented a concert in the Concert Hall of the Fine Arts Instructional Center (FAIC).

One of the performers was Erick Smith '19 of Manchester. Smith, who played bassoon in the concert, majors in Music.

Conducted by Kelly Watkins, the ensemble presented a collection of pieces by Ralph Vaughan Williams, John Philip Sousa, Ronald Lo Presti and Gustav Holst.

The concert opened with Williams' "Flourish for Wind Band." Written in 1939, the piece was the opening to the pageant "Music and the People."

The ensemble also performed "Elegy for a Young American" by Presti. Written in 1964, this piece was dedicated to the memory of President John F. Kennedy. The many stages of mourning can be felt as the work unfolds, with feelings of shock and denial reflected through the dynamics of the work.

The Wind Ensemble is open by audition only and is designed to provide students with a unique, student-centric instrumental playing experience. The small ensemble performs music from the wind ensemble and chamber winds repertoire, as well as more contemporary works.