New England Intercollegiate Band

Last weekend, me and four other Plymouth State musicians had the fortunate opportunity to play alongside some of New England's best college musicians. This experience was incredible, and we were directed by Cynthia Johnston Turner, director of bands at UGA.

We played at Yale University, in Woosley Hall, which has a 7 second reverb. It was a stunning experience to be there.

We played some incredible music. We premiered Sally McCune's piece, High Water Rising, which is about climate change. The piece is overwhelming, powerful, and very moving.

When Dr.Turner was directing us, she had us do a couple of exercises that were impactful. One of them included the ensemble closing their eyes, and beginning an F major chord all together. We had to listen to each other, breathe together, and start together. We each had to slowly taper off and end the chord with no stragglers.

As a performer, I feel that this exercise was vital to our sound, intonation, and our own place in the sound of the ensemble! On the following Monday, I attempted this exercise with an elementary and middle school band, and it went so well!