Echoes of Americana
KEITH PLASS/Special to The Press | Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 3 years, 9 months AGO
Bryan Hannaford conducts the North Idaho College Wind Symphony during the "Echoes of Americana" concert March 23.
Photo by KEITH PLASS
North Idaho College professor of music and choir director Max Mendez sings baritone for a rendition of classic folk tune "Shenandoah" during the NIC Wind Symphony concert March 23.
Undeterred by a blustery night, locals filed into the Schuler Performing Arts Center on the North Idaho College campus March 23 to witness a stirring sort of air: the NIC Wind Symphony performing “Echoes of Americana.”
Filled to nearly two-thirds capacity, the hall rang with a particular quality of music.
Concert-goers listened as musicians played wind instruments, percussion and piano to perform six pieces, all of them American compositions.
The ensemble included NIC students, faculty, staff and community members, including Elisabeth Tarsio, a clarinet player from Sandpoint.
NIC student Aleczander Hamilton was one of nine trumpet players. He is also a member of the NIC Jazz Ensemble and Cardinal Pep Band.
“One of the reasons I came back to school was because during the COVID I was not playing that much," Hamilton said. "I came to get back into it.”
The compositions were related to the history, geography, folklore and cultural heritage of the U.S., some of them well-known melodies, such as “Shenandoah."
Former NIC student Renei Yarrow sang soprano for “Requiem for a Soldier,” one of the more prominent pieces. It was composed by Yarrow's former instructor, Gerard Mathes, a professor of music at NIC for 32 years who retired in 2020.
This was Yarrow's first time performing with the Wind Symphony. She said she felt this was her chance to give back to Mathes.
"It is very special to me," Yarrow said. "I am honored.”
Mathes wrote “Requiem for a Soldier” 18 years ago to express a soldier’s experience in World War II. His uncle’s personal experience inspired the work.
“It is a horrific experience,” Mathes said. “The incessant sensibility of having to deal with danger, but also remembering home and the people you left.”
He said that although it has been performed several times throughout the years, the new set of people adds an emotional quality.
The conductor, Bryan Hannaford, is in his fifth year at NIC as an associate professor and the director of bands. In addition to directing the Wind Symphony, he also directs the NIC Jazz Ensemble, Cardinal Pep Band and Cardinal Chamber Orchestra.
Chuck and Claudette Rose were thrilled to attend the concert. Claudette is a pianist and church organist.
“It is just wonderful that in Idaho we can go to (enjoy) free music,” they said. “Performances by people who live here, giving back to the community.”
