The Fresno State Concert Hall echoed with the musical sounds of the College of the Sequoias Symphonic Band last week during a joint concert with the Fresno State Wind Orchestra.
”‹The COS Symphonic Band was led by conductor Michael Tackett, who is a professor of music at COS and has served as the band’s conductor for the last four years.
”‹Tackett’s band spent the last seven weeks of practice preparing for the concert. When choosing the songs to perform, Tackett said he worked hard to balance the list in order to get a wide variation of styles.
”‹“I try to pick music that is both educational for the students, but is also pleasing for the audience,” Tackett said.
”‹Thursday’s concert opened with a 40-minute performance featuring five different pieces by the visiting band of more than 60 members.
”‹The Fresno State Wind Orchestra followed COS with a 50-minute performance of five additional songs.
”‹During Fresno State’s portion of the event, music student Brooke Ferdinandsen was front and center. Ferdinandsen has been a member of the wind orchestra since 2014.
”‹“I really enjoyed tonight’s concert,” she said. “I think it was honestly the best our ensemble performed.”
”‹Ferdinandsen performs as the ensemble’s principal oboe/english horn player. This designation means that Ferdinandsen is responsible for leading the other members of that section of the orchestra.
Ferdinandsen’s designated seat is directly in front of the wind orchestra’s conductor, Dr. Gary Gilroy.
Gilroy, a Fresno State music professor, has worked with the wind orchestra for the past 24 years. Gilroy said he was quite pleased with the number in attendance and thanked the audience for their attendance at intermission.
”‹The event brought in more than 150 people and saw multiple standing ovations.
Fresno State student Cadence Calvert attended the event and was very impressed with the bands’ performances.
”‹“It was really well-performed and had a lot of exciting energy,” Calvert said.
”‹She added that she would highly recommend the group’s concerts to anyone who enjoys music.
”‹The Fresno State Wind Orchestra will play in its next concert at the Fresno State Concert Hall on Nov. 20.