CSUN’s music department hosted a mid-fall semester music festival with Pierce College and Los Angeles Valley College participating. The concert was held at the Soraya with a pre-show concert by the CSUN Wind Band.
The concert began with Los Angeles Valley College performing four songs and sharing a story for the audience to imagine and feel the music. Lori Musicant is the music director for Los Angeles Valley College and also the conductor for the band.
“Our next piece that we’re going to perform for you tonight is called Amberland, and this is about a very blush, beautiful part of Germany,” Musicant said. “I want you to consider closing your eyes as I invite you to take a deep breath and imagine yourself in one serene and beautiful place you can think of.”
The Pierce Symphonic Band followed Los Angeles Valley’s Wind Ensemble with their performances, beginning with a piece titled “Encanto” by Robert W. Smith. The Pierce Symphonic Band performed a total of five songs, including two holiday pieces to bring the “spooky season vibes,” according to Ryan Espinosa, who is the music department chair for Pierce, as well as the conductor for the band.
Wendy Mazon, the co-department director for Pierce’s music department, reflected on the past seven weeks, with the band working and preparing for the mid-fall concert.
“I think they did an excellent job,” Mazon said. “It’s really difficult sometimes to have a mid semester concert because they literally just got the music seven weeks ago.Not all of them have been in the group before, so they’re coming together in the Fall semester and just working together. They were really impressive tonight. I am proud.”
Spencer Monroe is one of five trumpet performers a part of the Pierce Symphonic Band. He has been a part of honor band for most of his career and is currently a freshman at Pierce. Monroe reflected on the moments of performing with the band and the practices leading up to this performance.
“This is all really different from what I’m used to, so kind of opportunities, but I think playing here with the whole band was just beautiful.” Monroe said. “Mr. Espinosa is a great director, he prepared us really well for this which is really important that we have well rehearsed pieces.”
Lawrence Stoffell, CSUN’s music director and conductor, spoke after Pierce’s performance and shared the story of extending the invite to Pierce College and Los Angeles Valley College, as he believes it is important to give students the chance to witness and experience performing with others.
“This points to the significance, the place, the permanent place the concert fans have in our society and our culture in their schools, and how critical it is to have music education in public schools that have acted for access to children,” Stoffell said. “Concert band is one of those mainstays of how music is taught in the United States and has been for centuries now.”
