The United States Air Force Academy Band, Essay Example

I chose to attend a performance by the United States Air Force Academy Band for this review. It was directed by Lieutenant Colonel Donald E. Schoenfeld Jr. and included a broad range of music including American folk song and dances, Latin styles, Dixieland, and pieces that were written during the Renaissance. I believe that the music was enjoyable, and that this performance was supported by an excellent atmosphere. The specific group that was featured in this show is called Stellar Bass and consisted of all brass instruments.

This musical performance opened up with a song named Festivo by James Curnow. I think this piece was a good opening to the performance because it allowed the audience to feel excited as if something were about to happen. Although it was written to mimic the excitement that one would feel at a festival, it reminded me of a victory after a long conflict. The musicians played this piece well and the low brass instruments were well balanced with the trumpets in terms of sound.

The piece that I enjoyed the most during this performance was Contrapuntus No. 9 from The Art of Fugue by J.S. Bach. This number stood out to me because I have heard it before and I believe that the band’s brass interpretation of a piece that was originally strings only was interesting. Furthermore, this piece fit nicely into the entire performance. Festivo was quick moving and exciting, and Contrapuntus No. 9 starts out slowly and then progresses into a quicker pace. In addition, it sounds darker than the piece that preceded it. Ultimately, I think this was a good selection due to the contrast between the opener and was one of my favorite parts of the show.