NOTES TO THE CONDUCTOR

“Jodie Blackshaw understands that there is more to a performance than merely replicating notes on a page. Music is a creative force that encompasses emotional connections to the turmoil and triumph in people’s lives. Through understanding these connections, music making is lifted to a higher level of expression and a deeper aesthetic experience for the musicians and the audience. Our SUNY Potsdam Campus Community Band participated in such an experience through the enhanced rehearsals and an informative performance of “Into the Sun”.

Our study of the piece was enriched through utilizing the resources provided in the score. The historical perspectives and personal stories of the immigrants seeking refuge in Australia allowed us to understand the various sections of the piece. Visiting the website links with videos and photos from this period in history helped us to relive the immigrants’ travels. We were so inspired that we even had a special didgeridoo constructed and performed with the piece in our Spring 2014 Informance.

Jodie joined us via Skype, during our “Informance” by sharing the significance of her piece through demonstrations and narrations with our band.

I encourage band directors everywhere to invest in the time for this deep musical experience with their own bands.”