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BPC Community Wind Ensemble lights up Gilder Recital Hall with fall concert

BPC’s Community Wind Ensemble performs its fall concert Nov. 27 in Gilder Recital Hall on the Mount Vernon campus under the direction of Dr. Armenio Suzano, associate professor of woodwinds, and before a “full house”. (Photo by Ashley Byrd)

By Kelley M. Arnold

Director of News and Public Information

MOUNT VERNON—Brewton-Parker College’s Community Wind Ensemble, comprised of musicians from the area and students, faculty and staff of BPC, entertained a full house at Gilder Recital Hall on the Mount Vernon campus Nov. 27.

The fall concert of the Community Wind Ensemble is an annual highlight of BPC’s fall music performance season, and this year’s performance continued the tradition. Under the direction of Dr. Armenio Suzano, associate professor of woodwinds, the ensemble performed an invigorating mix of inspirational and classic pieces. He also chose an unusual contemporary piece by William Harbinson, “Variations on an American Hymn Tune”, balancing it out with a requisite Sousa march, “The Liberty Bell March” that, according to Suzano, no respectful wind ensemble’s repertoire should be without. One piece, “’The Ramparts’ Concert Overture” by Clifton Williams included a vocal accompaniment by the men of the BPC Concert Choir.

The members of the BPC Community Wind Ensemble are dedicated adult musicians, some whom hold education positions in the music fields in the surrounding school systems. Tom Brown, music director of Jeff Davis High School, was the guest conductor for “Amazing Grace”, by Frank Ticheli.

The BPC Community Wind Ensemble includes the following individuals:

Clarinets: Jamie Sexton (Hartwell), Jelon Dixon (Hazlehurst), Jamie Tucker (Danielsville), Jennifer Blaylock (BPC Division of Music Secretary), Mary Hundley (Swainsboro) and Lauralee Worth (Hazlehurst); Bass Clairnet: Tom Brown (Jeff Davis H.S. Faculty); Oboe: Erica Miller (Blackshear); Flutes: Elizabeth Nichols (Vidalia), Pam Tippett (Vidalia), Tanya Washington (Vidalia); Alto Saxophones: Matthew Pittman (Eastman), Christina Trowell (Waycross) and Ajori Spencer (Wheeler County); Tenor Saxophone: Brandi Sullivan (Treutlen Co. H.S. Faculty); Trumpets: John C. Reed (Jeff Davis M.S. Faculty); Brian Summerlin (Jeff Davis County); Lee Lamb (Appling Co. M.S. Faculty); Andrew Nadskow (Vidalia), Craig Summerlin (Jeff Davis County), Bill Sasser (Swainsboro), Joey Purvis (Mount Vernon) and Cylan Braddy (Soperton).

Also, Horns: Charles Lawrence (Vidalia) and Van C. Willett (Wheeler Co. H.S. Faculty); Trombones: Albert Bussey III (Waycross); Glenn Eernisse (Chair, Division of Music, BPC), Michael Edwards (Hazlehurst), Ben Mosley (Vidalia), Brett Boggus (Bowden), Brittney Black (Vidalia), Dennis Kirby (Jeff Davis M.S. Faculty) and Michael Atkinson (Soperton); Euphonium: Tim Quigley (Vidalia H.S. Faculty), Stephanie Grinstead (Soperton) and C.J. Delabar (Vidalia); Tubas: Mark Basking (Montgomery Co. H.S. Faculty), Rusty King (Vidalia), Jamie Kirby (Hazlehurst).

Also, Percussion: John Weaver (BPC Faculty), Brandon Herrington (BPC Staff), Eli Elliot (Hephzibah), Lukas Suzano (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil), Drew James (Vidalia), Princeton Thornton (Waycross) and Timothy Anthony (Vidalia).

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