Tuesday, November 18, 2025
7:00 PM Rialto Center for the Arts
T. Devin Reid, principal conductor Rachel Breaux, conductor Braeden Weyhrich, conductor
Joseph Curiale | B. 1955
Joy
from "Awakening"
Rachel Breaux, conductor
Joy” emerges as a bright-spirited moment of musical illumination within Joseph Curiale’s larger work Awakening. The opening gestures are light, airy, and expansive—threads of melody rise over a gently pulsing accompaniment, suggesting an emotional release or burst of light after darkness. As the piece unfolds, recurring motives build in energy and color, culminating in a triumphant affirmation of sound that perfectly embodies its title. With its lyrical writing and radiant orchestration, Joy invites both performers and listeners into a space of renewal and collective celebration.
Pavel Tchesnokoff | 1877-1944
Salvation is Created
This arrangement is almost an exact transcription of the original choral work composed in 1912, before Chesnokov (or Tschesnokoff) was forced to turn to secular compositions by the Soviet government. It is a communion hymn based on a chant from This arrangement is almost an exact transcription of the original choral work composed in 1912, before Chesnokov (or Tschesnokoff) was forced to turn to secular compositions by the Soviet government. It is a communion hymn based on a chant from Kiev and Psalm 74 (73 in the Greek version): "Salvation is made in the midst of the earth, O God. Alleluia." It is transposed up 1/2 step from the original to accommodate the wind ensemble. There are other minor rhythmic changes; otherwise, there is no deviation from the original. The work is in two sections, each in “A-B-Coda” form. Bruce Housenecht was director of bands at Joliet Township High School from 1945 to 1969, and head of the Department of Fine Arts at Joliet Junior College. - Program Note from Tara Winds concert program, 19 December 2015 (73 in the Greek version): "Salvation is made in the midst of the earth, O God. Alleluia." It is transposed up 1/2 step from the original to accommodate the wind ensemble. There are other minor rhythmic changes; otherwise, there is no deviation from the original. The work is in two sections, each in “A-B-Coda” form. Bruce Housenecht was director of bands at Joliet Township High School from 1945 to 1969, and head of the Department of Fine Arts at Joliet Junior College. - Program Note from Tara Winds concert program, 19 December 2015
Clifton Williams | 1923-1976
Symphonic Dance No. 3 “Fiesta”
Symphonic Dance #3 “Fiesta” is one of five symphonic dances commissioned by the San Antonio Symphony Orchestra to celebrate its 25th anniversary in 1964. Each of the five dances represents the spirit of a different time and place in the history of San Antonio. This dance reflects the excitement and color of the city’s many Mexican celebrations, which Williams called “the pageantry of Latin American celebration -- street bands, bull fights, bright costumes, the colorful legacy of a proud people.” The introductory brass fanfare creates an atmosphere of tense anticipation, while the bells, solo trumpet, and woodwinds herald the arrival of an approaching festival. The brass announce the matador’s arrival to the bullring, and the finale evokes a joyous climax to the festivities. Williams rescored this work for band, and it was first performed in 1967 by the University of Miami Band, where he was chairman of theory and composition. - Program note by California State University, Fresno, Symphonic Band concert program, 5 May 2013
Robert Spittal | B. 1963
Pacem
Braeden Weyhrich, conductor
As is the case with most of my compositions, I wrote Pacem – A Hymn for Peace for a friend who also happens to be a musician. The work was composed for Patrick Brooks and his wind ensemble at Idaho State University. The thematic structures of the piece are based on the second movement of my Consort for Ten Winds, which impressed at a chamber recording session I led in 1999. I intended Consort to be a contemporary reflection of older music, and for the second movement to reflect the beautiful, imitative motet style of the Renaissance composers I admire, such as Josquin Des Prez and Palestrina. While many of the stylistic and inherently lyrical elements of Consort are retained in Pacem (the title in Latin for "peace"), the large-scale instrumental forces of the symphonic wind ensemble presented opportunities to expand the music proportions of Pacem. Rather than simply an "arrangement" of the earlier chamber work. Pacem became an original piece unto itself. The musical propositions of Pacem range from the introspective to the epic, reflecting the scope of humanity's persistent, hopeful and often difficult struggle toward the realization of personal and universal peace. Pacem is a musical expression of humankind’s desire for universal peace among all people, as well as the personal peace that comes from within. “Pacem” is the Latin word for “peace.” The choice of Latin is significant for two reasons: 1) as a kind of tribute to the Franco-Flemish Renaissance composers, whose music strongly influenced this work, and 2) as a symbol of the universality of humankind’s desire for peace –- a collective desire that cuts across geographic, religious, ethnic, historical, or other boundaries. The reflective, more peaceful moments in the work represent our hope for personal peace. The stronger, maestoso statements of the main theme convey a hopeful optimism for the realization of peace among all people. Other statements are more conflicted and ambiguous and remind us that achieving universal peace requires persistence and struggle, and that it remains an unrealized challenge in the world. - Program Note by composer
Jonathan Kochik | B. 1994
With Courage Unyielding
World Premiere
Composed in tribute to Devin Reid’s decade of leadership in the band program at Georgia State University, With Courage Unyielding originates from a heartfelt commission by the Nu Alpha chapter of Kappa Kappa Psi. Beginning as a brief chorale for the basketball band, it expanded into a full-scale wind-ensemble fanfare that mirrors Reid’s energy, mentorship and musicianship. Kochik incorporates personal touches — including subtle nods to Reid’s percussion background and favorite cinematic themes — weaving momentum, pride and urgency into a piece celebrating community, legacy and forward motion.
Discover the story behind the commission, the inspiration for the piece, and more about composer Jonathan Kochik by clicking the button below.
T. Devin Reid
T. Devin Reid is currently an active musician and educator throughout the southeast. A native of Fayetteville, NC, Mr. Reid is a 2005 recipient of the North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship. He holds a Master of Music in Wind Band Conducting from Georgia State University and a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Mr. Reid currently serves as the Interim Associate Director of Bands and Interim Director of Athletic Bands at Georgia State University in Atlanta, GA, and previously served GSU as the Assistant Director of Bands and Undergraduate Director for the School of Music. At Georgia State he co-teaches the Panther Marching Band, conducts the Basketball Band, conducts the Wind Orchestra, teaches undergraduate and graduate level conducting and band literature courses, and supervises student teachers in the field among other duties and courses. Under his leadership, the GSU Concert Band has grown to become the largest instrumental concert ensemble at the university. With Mr. Reid’s direction, the GSU Panther Band performed in 2019 as part of the Pepsi Super Bowl LIII Halftime Show, been accepted as a CBDNA Southern Region top marching band in 2020, and performed in the 2022 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA. Preceding to his appointment at Georgia State, Mr. Reid taught public school in Georgia and North Carolina and served as Graduate Assistant for the Georgia State University Bands. While teaching at James Kenan High School (NC), Mr. Reid grew the program from 0% to 10% of the school population in just three years. His ensembles performed at numerous events in and out of the community including the NC Muscadine Festival, NC PAS Day of Percussion and the Virginia International Music Festival.
Rachel Breaux
Rachel Breaux, a native of Temple, GA, is a graduate of the University of West Georgia where she received her Master in Flute Performance degree and took advantage of conducting opportunities with the UWG Wind Ensemble under the direction of Dr. Byrd as a graduate assistant. She also holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Education from West Georgia. Presently, she is in her second year studying Wind Band Conducting at Georgia State University as a graduate assistant under Dr. Robert J. Ambrose and Dr. Chris Carr, where she rehearses select pieces with of all three college ensembles as well as the entire concert band ensemble at Carrollton High School. Rachel has enjoyed various teaching opportunities throughout Georgia. These include having her own private lesson studio consisting of students from Carroll, Paulding, Fayette, and Coweta counties, being an instructional staff member with local marching and concert bands, a flute sectional coach, and woodwind specialist. She also actively participates in conducting symposia in the summer, including Atlanta Summer Conducting Institute's, Columbus State's, and University of South Carolina's. While still performing in local church orchestras and ensembles and teaching, Rachel also enjoys graphic and website design, media management, and marketing for various organizations, including West Georgia Arts, a local honor band, and Tabernacle Baptist Church. When not immersed in her busy schedule, she also enjoys family time, outdoor activities, and occasional PC gaming with friends. Rachel resides in Temple, GA with her dog, Oscar.
Braeden Weyhrich
Braeden Weyhrich is a Master of Music student and graduate assistant at Georgia State University, where she studies wind band conducting with Dr. Robert Ambrose and works in all facets of the concert and athletic band programs. Additionally, she is a Teaching Artist for the Atlanta Music Project, teaching elementary and middle school students in the Preparatory Band and Junior Youth Orchestra. Before graduate studies, Braeden was the Band Director at Hinton Community School in northwest Iowa, where she taught and administered all aspects of the band program for students in grades 5-12. She was also the Associate Conductor of the Siouxland All-America Concert Band, Librarian for the Sioux City Municipal Band, and a member of several district and state-wide committees of the Iowa Bandmasters Association. Braeden is a part of The Access Collective, a program piloted in Iowa and soon to expand nationally which works to assist band directors in connecting their students to other people and cultures through music. Braeden holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and an Honors College Degree from Oklahoma State University, where she graduated magna cum laude and was recognized as an OSU Alumni Association Outstanding Senior. Her organizational affiliations include Tau Beta Sigma, Sigma Alpha Iota, Women Band Directors International, Georgia Music Educators Association, and the National Association for Music Education.
Credits:
Created with images by nekotaro - "Multicolored pastel abstract background.Gentle tones paper texture. Light gradient. The colour is soft and romantic. " • Curioso.Photography - "Bas-relief of the Soviet era on old facade building on Nemiga Street in Minsk, Belarus." • narumiaegis - "A traditional Mexican sombrero and a small cactus are displayed on a rustic blue wooden surface, evoking a sense of fiesta and cultural celebration."