What goes into a concert: an inside look at the upcoming Wind Ensemble concert
Though it may be easy to overlook, a great deal of preparation goes into developing a band and coordinating its performances!
Editor’s note: The Bethel College Fine Arts Department’s first concert was originally scheduled for Monday, Sep. 19, at 7 p.m. in Krehbiel Auditorium in the Fine Arts Center. The concert was postponed indefinitely due to unforeseen circumstances.
The performing group is the wind ensemble, directed by Professor Joel Boettger. The instrumentation of this ensemble roughly parallels that of a classic concert band, with a combination of brass and woodwind voices along with a touch of percussion.
While the performance may seem simple, less well known is the work that goes into preparing for a concert like this.
The groundwork is the audition process. Any student wishing to participate in Bethel’s wind ensemble is guaranteed a spot.
“If you miss playing your instrument, come talk to me!” said Professor Boettger.
Instead of selecting people to join the band, auditions serve to arrange interested students into appropriate parts, and allow Professor Boettger to assess each individual’s abilities. There is also room for recruitment if a significant void must be filled.
A new year equals a new band. The wind ensemble is constantly shifting due to its dependence on the current student body.
Professor Boettger said of this particular group that “there is a good amount of young talent and work ethic paired with folks who have that kind of talent who are older.” He also says that this is an ensemble to watch as they develop and grow over the coming year.
Once the group is amassed, it is time to select music. This is based on three criteria: quality and difficulty of the piece, enjoyability, and whether the piece fits the new band.
Professor Boettger then works with each piece of music to gain an understanding for, among other things, its shape, style, and flow. He says “then all of that needs to be translated off the page and into real time by the musicians that are in the ensemble.”
Each rehearsal is a chance to build off the music, other musicians, and, perhaps most importantly, past rehearsals.
To do this within the span of a month (especially in preparation for a concert 2-3 weeks earlier than usual) requires advanced time management and organizational skills.
Perhaps the now obvious unsung hero behind this process is Professor Boettger. His presence is essential to the success of not only the wind ensemble, but the entire music department.
Most concerts are free to the public. All are welcome to come support the wind ensemble when it launches its branch of Bethel music into its 2022-2023 performance year.