Brina Barrientos
An afternoon entitled “Un jour sans vin est comme un jour sans soleil” describes an event filled with French culture infused with wine, hour-d’oeuvres and of course, French music.
The quote, which translates to “A day without wine is like a day without sun,” was an appropriate to title for the annual wine tasting reception that featured Pierce College’s choir, the Los Angles Symphonic Winds, the premiere of two musical pieces and a selection of Californian and French wines.
The afternoon began on the Performing Arts Mainstage with the premiere of selections from “The Statue” by Charles Fernandez, and continued with “Disney Celebration,” arranged by the ensemble’s own Bob Joles and “Brooklyn Bridge” by Michael Daugherty, which featured Helen Goode as a solo clarinetist.
After the intermission, the second half of the concert began with the premiere of “In Circles” by Michael Wachs. The San Fernando Valley Male Chorus and the Pierce College Day Choir performed “Yosemite Suite” by Sheldon Cohen, a collaboration by Cohen and Stephen Piazza.
It was followed by “March Heroique” by Camille Saint-Saens, “French National Defile,” by Robert Planquette and “Orpheus in the Underworld” by Jacques Offenbach.
The Symphonic Winds, directed by Piazza, will be traveling to Schladming, Austria this summer.
The group will also be playing at the Kodak Theater to honor Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) students.
Preceding the musical event was the wine tasting reception that took place in the Campus Center.
It featured a variety of Californian and French wines with appetizers from McCormick and Schmick, Maggiano’s and Trader Joe’s.
The Symphonic Wind ensemble is made up of 100 players. Including students, musicians and people who take an interest in playing a wind instrument outside of their everyday life.
Cathryn Tortell, who co-directs the Pierce Daytime Choir along with Dennis Parnel, said that this class “gives students a great opportunity to work with two instructors and be introduced to various types of musical vocal instruction.”
“It’s a good experience for them. It’s a big deal for amateur players to be playing with professionals,” said Piazza.
Department Chair of Pierce College’s Music Department, Stephen Piazza, conducts the Los Angeles Pierce Symphonic Winds, The San Fernando Valley Male Chorus and the Pierce College Day Choir during the “Un jour sans vin est comme un jour sans soleil” concert. (Ashley Stuart)
Chair of the Wine tasting event, Steve Woloshin, auctions off a bottle of Cycle Gladiator Syrah to a lucky participant on the afternoon of Sunday Mar 6. (Ashley Stuart)