Best of the Week 2022-2023: Teaching to the Future

ST. ED'S SYMPHONIC BAND INVITED TO PERFORM AT SEVERANCE MUSIC CENTER

St. Ed's Symphonic Band was invited by Co-Director of the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony Daniel Cain to perform at The Cleveland Orchestra's Severance Music Center last weekend. Performing pieces only composed by female musicians, students gave a captivating performance of "Walking on Air" by Laura Estes, "Ankh of Eternity" by Kelly Duggar, "In the Gathering Dark" by Kimberly Archer, "Wayward Woods" by Genevieve Cecile and "Mambo Perro Loco" by Julie Giroux. Students also performed the piece "Of Dreams and Destiny," which was specifically written for this performance, composed by Clarence Barber and St. Ed's Symphonic Band and Saint Joseph Academy alum Genevieve Kramer.

"My favorite piece to play was 'Wayward Woods,' which details the magic of imagination through a magic forest. It's my favorite to play because it was composed by a fellow flautist and she knows how to write a flute/woodwind piece that's really exciting for woodwinds," says Jeremiah Badu '25. "Performing in such a renowned center in the world of performing arts was a highlight in my life."

"While this was definitely a difficult concert to perform, it taught me a lot about the work ethic needed to improve any skill and proved to myself that I've grown as a musician," says Tyler Valentino. "Performing at Severance Hall was an amazing once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was exhilarating to be on a stage where hundreds of other famous musicians have made their mark."

"As an alumni of the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony myself, and having so many current Symphonic Band members a part of the current Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony, it was a true joy to lead our students through a similar experience I had in high school as a member of the Cleveland Youth Orchestra," says Performing Arts Director Angelo Kortyka '98. "Students walked away with a renewed sense of purpose for performance, understanding that the music we make is an important part of our personal and spiritual development. This special performance helped highlight the gravity and sense of importance music deserves."