The Eastman Wind Ensemble (EWE) – America’s leading wind ensemble and pioneering force in the symphonic wind band movement throughout the world – is poised to celebrate the 70^th anniversary of its founding with a week of performances, lectures, and conducting masterclasses. The events surrounding this occasion will take place from January 25-29, 2023, at the Eastman School of Music, of the University of Rochester.

“We are so proud to celebrate seven decades of the Eastman Wind Ensemble and share our history with the world,” says Dr. Mark Scatterday ‘89E (DMA), Professor of Conducting and conductor of the EWE. “Through world premieres, commissioning of new works, tours, recordings, and live concerts, the EWE has been the leading force in the ever growing and changing wind band field. I encourage you to join Donald Hunsberger and myself in this monumental anniversary of the Eastman Wind Ensemble – America’s first and finest!”

On Wednesday, January 25 at 7:30 PM, the Eastman Wind Orchestra will present a concert in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre, with a program of works considered to be repertoire staples of the EWE’s founder, Dr. Frederick Fennell ‘37E, ‘39E (MS). The pioneering conductor envisioned an ensemble of wind, brass, and percussion instruments that would focus on flexible instrumentation and a “one player per part” philosophy. Pieces to be performed by the EWO will include Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Toccata Marziale, Gordon Jacob’s William Byrd Suite, and Morton Gould’s Ballad, among others. Dr. Scatterday, along with doctoral conducting assistants Luke Camarillo and Mason St. Pierre, will lead from the podium.

On Friday, January 27 at 7:30 PM, the Eastman Wind Ensemble, led by Dr. Scatterday and Conductor Emeritus Dr. Donald Hunsberger ‘54E, ‘59E (MM), ‘63E (DMA), will give its 70^th Anniversary Concert in Kodak Hall – with a program nodding to the Ensemble’s debut concert on February 8, 1953. Repertoire on the 1953 debut concert included Mozart’s Serenade No. 10 in B-flat Major, K. 361/370a (Gran Partita), Wallingford Riegger’s Nonet for Brass, and Paul Hindemith’s Symphony in B–flat. Honoring this historic occasion, the January 27 concert will include both works by Mozart and Hindemith. Riegger’s Nonet will be replaced by Valerie Coleman’s Fanfare for Uncommon Times.

Dr. Hunsberger shares, “It is a great pleasure to salute the Eastman Wind Ensemble on its 70^th Anniversary, an occasion to recognize seven decades of leadership that includes the creation of numerous new works for the wind band/ensemble. The EWE played a leading role in this developmental process, as well as in the refinement and expansion of instrumental performance techniques.”

He continues, “Having performed in the Ensemble’s inaugural concert, and participating in every Anniversary since, I still feel part of its continual growth and performance opportunities. In keeping with the numerous times that I received annual salutations for the Ensemble from Frederick Fennell, I am pleased to say, ‘Happy Anniversary, EWE and Mark Scatterday!’”

From January 27-29, the International Conductors Guild will host the Frederick Fennell Memorial Conducting Masterclass at Eastman. During this weekend, ten participants selected from around the country will conduct the Wind Ensemble and Wind Orchestra while receiving feedback from Scatterday and Hunsberger. There will also be a series of discussions, including a session with American Musicologist Neal Zaslaw, Cornell University’s Herbert Gussman Professor of Music Emeritus, on Mozart’s Gran Partita.

The Eastman Wind Orchestra and Eastman Wind Ensemble Concerts are free and open to the public. More information on the Eastman Wind Ensemble’s 70^th Anniversary can be found online at esm.rochester.edu/events.