WSW Spring Concert, “Polkas and Other Stories”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

April 1, 2022

 

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Curt Ebersole – Conductor/Music Director, Westchester Symphonic Winds

Phone: (914) 281-1976 · E-Mail: info@westchestersymphonicwinds.org

Website: www.westchestersymphonicwinds.org

 

Westchester Symphonic Winds Presents “Polkas & Other Stories”

 

WHITE PLAINS, NY – Westchester Symphonic Winds (WSW) returns to the stage at Tarrytown Music Hall on Saturday, May 7 at 8:00 p.m. for “Polkas & Other Stories” (rescheduled from February 13). Guest artists Matt Podd and Dr. Joseph Bello join the ensemble for a program featuring works by Harrison J. Collins, Rossano Galante, Randall Standridge, Frank Ticheli, and three arrangements by ensemble arranger and Board of Directors member Barton Green.

 

With a longstanding tradition of showcasing guest artists, WSW marks two significant milestones on the May 7 concert. Guest soloist Matt Podd, an active Brooklyn-based pianist, composer, and arranger, joins WSW as the group’s very first accordion soloist. Guest conductor Joseph Bello, retired from the United States Air Force Concert Band as principal euphonium, returns to conduct the WSW ten years after having performed with the ensemble as a guest euphonium soloist in 2012.

Also included on the “Polkas & Other Stories” program is the world premiere of Joshua Idio’s The Cruise Line Dream. Idio’s composition is presented in partnership with the And We Were Heard project, supporting the performance of works by underrepresented composers. The piece tells a sonic story of the seas, utilizing the instruments of the ensemble to capture the excitement and intrigue of ocean travel by cruise ship.

Curt Ebersole, conductor/music director, said, “It was a very difficult decision to postpone at this point in the pandemic, especially after we were able to successfully and safely perform at Caramoor in July and in the Music Hall in November. But we are determined to return to the stage to perform this exciting program for our loyal audiences.” 

Program includes:

GALANTE – Sword of the Titans

TICHELI – Rest

PIAZZOLLA, ARR. GREEN – Oblivion

DE ABRÉU, ARR. GREEN – Tico Tico

COLLINS – The Paper Man

STANDRIDGE – The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

IDIO – The Cruise Line Dream

WEINBERGER – Polka and Fugue, from Schwanda, the Bagpiper

   

About the Guest Artists:

Dr. Joseph M. Bello served as the Capital Pride Symphonic Band conductor since 2008,

and was instrumental in forming the Capitol Pride Winds in 2009. Dr. Bello earned his Master of Music degree in conducting under Anthony Maiello at George Mason University, and later went on to conduct performances with many professional chamber ensembles in the D.C. area. Joseph also served as principal euphonium in The United States Air Force Concert Band in Washington D.C. His Air Force career began in 1998, after completing 2 years at the University of Michigan. He later retired from the United States Air Force in 2014. While pursuing his Bachelor of Music degree at The University of Michigan, Joseph was selected as a finalist for the prestigious Concert Artists’ Guild.  As a euphonium player, he has enjoyed the unique opportunity to solo with such groups as the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Wind Symphony, University of Texas Symphonic Band, as well as numerous community bands all over the United States, including a solo performance with WSW in 2012. He recently completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree at Northwestern University under Dr. Mallory Thompson.

Matt Podd  holds degrees from the Eastman School of Music and Ithaca College. As a pianist, Matt specializes in jazz, gospel, pop, musical theatre, and choral accompaniment. He has appeared on stage with some of New York City’s finest musicians at Jazz at Lincoln Center, Town Hall, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Symphony Space, and the 92nd Street Y. His arrangements have been heard across America and throughout the world, including performances at Carnegie Hall, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, Symphony Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, PBS, the White House, Caramoor Music Festival, the 92nd Street Y, Symphony Space, and beyond. He has worked as an arranger and orchestrator for such world-class acts as the Barbra Streisand, Dave Matthews, Darlene Love, Reneé Fleming, Joshua Bell, the Boston Pops, the National Symphony Orchestra, and many other artists, choirs, and ensembles. To learn more about, visit Matt’s website at www.mattpodd.com.

To Purchase Tickets:

Tickets for this performance are priced at $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors, and free of charge for US veterans and military service personnel, and children under 10. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Tarrytown Music Hall box office, by calling 877-840-0457, or online at tarrytownmusichall.org after April 5. This is a vaccinated patrons only performance, masks required. *Updated COVID-19 policies for this event can be found at tarrytownmusichall.org/covid-19-policy.

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About The Westchester Symphonic Winds:

The Westchester Symphonic Winds is a 60-piece adult community-based wind and percussion ensemble, originally known as the Hudson Valley Wind Symphony. This year we celebrate our 34th season as the area’s premiere community band. We exist to promote music in our area, instill pride in our nation and heritage, provide opportunities for personal expression and growth within our membership, and nurture the love of music by offering an exceptional musical experience for people of all ages. 

 

Over the years, we have given concerts on behalf of many service and benefit organizations. Our educational outreach program has included our Side-by-Side Concert with the Mahopac Central School District and our 2015-2016 Exchange Program with the Northshore Concert Band of Evanston, Illinois. The Westchester Symphonic Winds made its Lincoln Center debut at Avery Fisher Hall in 2010, performed at the Association of Concert Bands National Convention in 2012 and 2019, New York State Band Directors Association in 2017, and has performed at the Caramoor Festival annually since 2014. WSW was the winner of The American Prize for 2018-2019. The organization is an Ensemble-in-Residence at the historic Tarrytown Music Hall in Tarrytown, New York, and rehearses there on Monday evenings, September through May. 

 

Membership in the Westchester Symphonic Winds is available to all qualified musicians. Membership information can be obtained via email (personnel@westchestersymphonicwinds.org), or by U.S. mail (Westchester Symphonic Winds, Box 485, 333 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10605). You can also visit us online at: www.westchestersymphonicwinds.org, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter. 

Westchester Symphonic Winds, Inc. is a Section 501(c)(3) Not-for-Profit organization. Corporate and personal contributions, financial assistance, and volunteers are essential and always welcomed! 

For additional concert and ticket information, advertising, donations, and updates, visit us at: www.westchestersymphonicwinds.org.

 

About the Conductor:

Curt Ebersole has served as the Conductor/Music Director (John P. Paynter Memorial Chair) of the WestchesterSymphonic Winds since 2008, fostering its exponential growth over the past fourteen years, culminating in The American Prize for 2018-2019. He retired from Northern Valley Regional High School (Old Tappan, New Jersey) in 2013 after serving as Director of Instrumental Music for 31 years, and now teaches at The Masters School, in Dobbs Ferry, New York. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree and a Master of Music in Conducting degree from Northwestern University, where he studied conducting with John P. Paynter and clarinet with Larry Combs, and earned a Master of Fine Arts degree

in Clarinet Performance from SUNY-Purchase, studying with Ben Armato. He has served as guest conductor/clinician for many county, regional, and all-state student ensembles, and adult community ensembles nationally, including performances at Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall, and Symphony Space, and in Las Vegas, South Korea and Australia. His achievements include multiple teaching awards, ensemble performances as a clarinetist and basset hornist, and speaking/clinic engagements with the Midwest Clinic, TEDxOneonta, and several state music education conventions and conducting symposia.