Alyssa Wejebe/Roundup
The Los Angeles Pierce Symphonic Winds celebrated the holidays with their last performance of the year at the Performing Arts Main Stage Sunday afternoon
Guest conductor Wataru Hokoyama led with “Forward.” Its fast paced tone, sounded as if it came straight out an action-adventure movie.
According to the show’s program, Hokoyama works in television, film and writes his own concert music. His music has been commissioned and performed in Europe, the United States and in his native country, Japan.
Conductor Guy Woolfenden proceeded with “Ilyrian Dances,” “Rondeau,” “Aubade,” and “Gigue,” that continued that same energetic vein as Hokoyama.
Director Stephen Piazza said Woolfeden’s work was chosen for their “renaissance feel.”
Piazza conducted Louis Castellucci’s “Canta Surriento” and “Roll ‘Em.” Two pieces that sounded like a march-like celebration.
Roger Nixon’s “Fiesta del Pacifico” was, according to Piazza, a fiesta type piece written in the 1960s.
Following the brief intermission, the performance’s holiday section immediately started with Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.” It was perfectly recognizable, with tinkling sleigh bells and the hooves of the sleigh’s beast simulated.
After the audience laughed over one musician’s menorah hat with fabric flames, “A Chanukah Celebration” played, as arranged by David Bobrowitz. Throughout the piece, there was the theme of the “dreidel song” mixed in with other musical beats.
For the finale, “A Merry Sing-Along,” as arranged by Bob Joles was played for the audience. The work was a mixture of various holiday songs that flowed seamlessly between each other, and once Piazza faced the audience, they sang on cue.
After giving the LA Winds a standing ovation, a reception was held, offering refreshments and baked goods to all singers and musicians.
On their website, the LA Winds is one of the most critically acclaimed and nationally recognized community bands in the U.S and it has become a leader in Southern California’s cultural landscape since it was founded in 1983. It has performed internationally in the United Kingdom, Italy, and Canada.
The LA Winds will have their next performance on Jan. 17. For even more information, please visit lawinds.org.
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