Welcome

Thank you for joining us for our inaugural performance at The Midwest Clinic. Today’s concert celebrates the members and supporters of the Springboro Wind Symphony. In just five years, this ensemble has flourished, building both success and a vibrant community of musicians rooted in Springboro, Ohio.

  • We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Midwest Clinic Board of Directors and Staff, who have made this event so special for everyone involved. A special thanks goes to our own Executive Director and Co-Founder, Stephanie Catanzaro, whose leadership and dedication have been instrumental to our success—we truly would not be here without her. We are also deeply honored to have the support and inspiration of guest conductors, Dr. Shelley Jagow, Dr. Alfred Watkins, and Mr. Jason Fettig.

    In addition, having the opportunity to share this stage with guest artists Ashley Tighe-Hall and the Barcelona Clarinet Players makes this momentous occasion all the more meaningful. We are grateful to Springboro Community Schools and their band directors Nick Palmer and Connor Reidy, who have been unwavering supporters since our founding. Their commitment and dedication have been vital to our growth.

    The musicians and Board members of the Springboro Wind Symphony work tirelessly to create an ensemble that is exceptional in every sense. The leadership of our Board has been outstanding - we are so fortunate to have such servant and insightful leaders working together for our success and the legacy of our organization.  Our members are not only talented musicians; they are also inspiring, dedicated, humble, and enthusiastic individuals. Together, we have built a culture that has fostered our success in performing a diverse array of wind repertoire within our region, while also bringing influential figures in music education into our rehearsals and local band rooms to positively impact students and educators alike.

    I am profoundly grateful to each member for their contributions to our strong culture of community, connection, and musical excellence. My gratitude also extends to the music educators and mentors in my life, past and present—thank you for investing in me and believing in my journey.

    For the 78th Midwest Clinic, we sought to present a diverse showcase of musical styles and composers, while also highlighting the talents and creativity of the great state of Ohio. Today’s concert will feature works by Ohio composers John Mackey and Nicole Piunno, and we are proud to include guest conductor Dr. Shelley Jagow and trumpet soloist Ashley Tighe-Hall, both distinguished music educators from Ohio.  We are also thrilled to premiere a newly commissioned work by Timothy Mahr called “Spring Forward.” Partnering with Tim to bring this commission to life has been so much fun - thank you, Tim!

    We are proud of our community, our journey, and our members. Thank you for sharing this meaningful moment of our ensemble's history with us, and we hope you enjoy today’s program.

    Sincerely,

    Josh Baker
    Co-Founder, Conductor and Musical Director
    Springboro Wind Symphony

Directors, Guest Conductors, & Guest Artists

Program

Springboro Wind Symphony
The 78th Midwest Clinic

December 18, 2024 // 11:30am
McCormick Place West
Chicago, Illinois
Ballroom 375AB

Josh Baker, Music Director
Dr. Timothy Mahr, Composer
Dr. Alfred Watkins, Guest Conductor
Colonel Jason Fettig (Ret.), Guest Conductor
Dr. Shelley Jagow, Guest Conductor
Ashely Hall-Tighe, Guest Artist
Barcelona Clarinet Players, Guest Artist

  • World Premiere, Commissioned by Springboro Wind Symphony

    Composer: Timothy Mahr
    Year: 2024
    Grade: 4
    Duration: 4:30
    Publisher: Mahr Music Press

  • Composer: Malcolm Arnold

    Year: 2024
    Grade: 4
    Duration: 4:30
    Publisher: Mahr Music Press

  • Alfred Watkins, Conductor

    Composer: Viet Cuong
    Year: 2023
    Grade: 2
    Duration: 4:00
    Publisher: Blue Dot Composers Collective

  • Composer: Julie Giroux
    Year: 2024
    Grade: 4
    Duration: 8:30
    Publisher: Giroux Music

  • Composer: JaRod Hall
    Year: 2023
    Grade: 1
    Duration: 1:50
    Publisher: Randle Standridge Music, LLC

  • Jason Fettig, Conductor

    Composer: Julius Fucik, arr. John R. Bourgeois
    Year: 2019
    Grade: 3
    Duration: 3:30
    Publisher: Wingert-Jones Publications

  • Shelley Jagow, Conductor
    Ashley Hall-Tighe, Trumpet

    Composer: Nicole Piunno
    Year: 2019
    Grade: 5
    Duration: 9:55
    Publisher: Metaphor Music Works

  • Composer: Katahj Copley
    Year: 2019
    Grade: 3
    Duration: 4:00
    Publisher: Katahj Copley Music

  • Barcelona Clarinet Players, Clarinet Quartet

    Composer: Oscar Navarro
    Year: 2019
    Grade: 6
    Duration: 10:00
    Publisher: Oscar Navarro Music

Commissioned Work &
World Premiere

Spring Forward
by Timothy Mahr

Receiving a commission from a superior civic ensemble such as the Springboro Wind Symphony to compose a spirited opening work for a premiere performance at The Midwest Clinic is a fantastic opportunity and certainly a high honor. In my initial discussions with conductor Josh Baker, I found out that Springboro, Ohio was founded near natural springs. All sorts of images came to mind tied to the use of the word "spring" that meshed well with the general goals of a concert opener. Various sections of music developed from thinking about these situations and states of energy, and the work has section headings as follows:

The Promise of Spring
Spring to Life
Spring into Action
Spring Water
Spring to Mind
Spring in Your Step
The Promise of Spring
Spring Forward

This is not a programmatic work; rather, it’s a collection of materials that developed from a few basic progressions, rhythmic impulses and melodic ideas, all influenced by the notion of “spring” in its many forms.

Spring Forward was commissioned by the Springboro Wind Symphony for its 2024 performance at The Midwest Clinic.

Program Notes

Four Scottish Dances
by Malcolm Arnold, arr. John Paynter

These dances were composed early in 1957, and are dedicated to the BBC Light Music Festival. They are all based on original melodies but one, the melody of which is composed by Robert Burns.

The first dance is in the style of a slow strathspey - a slow Scottish dance in 4/4 meter - with many dotted notes, frequently in the inverted arrangement of the "Scottish snap." The name was derived from the strath valley of Spey. The second, a lively reel, begins in the key of E-flat and rises a semi-tone each time it is played until the bassoon plays it, at a greatly reduced speed, in the key of G. The final statement of the dance is at the original speed in the home key of E-flat.

The third dance is in the style of a Hebridean song and attempts to give an impression of the sea and mountain scenery on a calm summer's day in the Hebrides. The last dance is a lively fling, which makes a great deal of use of the open string pitches of the violin (saxophones in the band edition).

Inland Ocean
by Viet Cuong

I recently began teaching at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and I’ve been struck by the natural beauty of the city’s surroundings, which are often overshadowed by the Strip. About an hour outside of Vegas is the Valley of Fire, a state park with magnificent cliffs and bright red sandstone structures. It’s a humbling sight, and there are even petroglyphs on the rocks dating back 2,000 years! And what’s even more fascinating is that the whole area was once underwater.

It’s hard to believe that this area in the middle of the Mojave Desert - the driest region in America - used to be an inland ocean. Over hundreds of millions of years, the sea subsided as the land rose, resulting in the spectacular sight we see there today. Inland Ocean is inspired by this imagery, and I strove to musically capture the swirling of water, wind, and sand that patiently formed this region.

Inland Ocean was commissioned by the Beyond The Notes Music Festival, Inc., Chris Gleason, president. Many thanks to the Chequamegon Middle School Band from Glidden, Wisconsin, and their teacher Kristen Kirch for the world premiere performance on May 10, 2023.

To the Bells of Berlin Cathedral
by Julie Giroux

There is a story told about Franz Kafka, a known bohemian author who lived from 1883-1924. It goes something like this:

While strolling through a park in Berlin, Franz Kafka chanced upon a little girl who was crying. When he inquired as to the reason for her distress, she explained that she had lost her doll somewhere in the park and she couldn't find it. Kafka searched for the doll as well, but neither of them were able to locate the lost doll. Kafka told the little girl that the doll had merely gone on a trip and promised that if the little girl would return to the park the next day, he would bring her a letter from her doll. That letter stated that the doll had gone on a long trip. She had many things she wanted to see and do. She was sorry she had to leave but promised she would continue to write letters about her adventures. Kafka continued to deliver letters from the doll for several weeks, arriving each afternoon at the park with a letter for his new friend.

  • Kafka at that time in his life was quite ill with tuberculosis and would in fact die within the year, at the age of 41. He was to return to Prague before his death, but not before buying his young friend another doll. On his last day in the park, Kafka gave the little girl a new doll and with it came the final letter:

    “I am so glad to be back home. I saw and did many wonderful things. All of those travels have transformed me. Not only on the inside, but on the outside as well.”

    The little girl embraced the doll, happy with tears. Kafka and her parted, never to see each other again. Many years later, the girl, who was now a grown woman, found a note tucked into the dolls clothing and it read:

    “Everything you love is very likely to be lost, but in the end, love will return in a different way.”

    This story has existed for nearly as long as Kafka has been gone. It has been neither proven nor disproven. Kafka had a girlfriend, Dora Diamant, who was from Poland. The couple lived together in Berlin until March 1924, which was the period during which the "the traveling doll" event is purported to have taken place. Dora claimed right up to her death, that the story was true.

    I imagined their daily meetings in Stadtpark Steglitz, a romantic garden memorial that is located in Berlin's southern district. They would have heard the bells of the Berlin Cathedral. Those bells gave me the musical vehicle I needed to complete this musical journey.

    To the Bells of Berlin Cathedral has several very personal facets to it. It is the first music I have composed after the death of my mother. This music may not have been specifically written for her, but there is no putting a wall up between my feelings of loss and my artistic expressions. It just can't be done.

    Another facet is, I told this story to my good friend, Bruce Leek. He loved it and it brought tears to his eyes as well as mine. That was also to be my last conversation with Bruce before he died. The beautiful story between an author and a little girl, brought me back to composing.

    I will never forget the way it felt, writing these notes. And just like the little girl, I too learned that: “Everything you love is very likely to be lost, but in the end, love will return in a different way.”

Ready The Castle
by JaRod Hall

“Ready The Castle” is an exhilarating musical journey that transports listeners to a medieval battlefield.  The piece is set in the key of D minor and features the lively 6/8 time signature, giving it a forward bounding momentum that feels both exhilarating and intense.

At the beginning, powerful lows and drums shake the castle walls, signaling an attack.  As the high voices soar in the following section, listeners can almost hear the rush of the moat waters and the creak of the drawbridge lifting as the castle prepares for war, rallying the troops to defend their fortress.

The battle rages on as the low brass and percussion drive the rhythmic pulse forward while the upper woodwinds and brass weave catchy melodic lines into the fray, slowly building to a triumphant closing section in F major.  The final chord rings out, signaling the end of the battle and victory for the castle’s defenders.

Our Heroes
by Julius Fučík, arr. John R. Bourgeois

Julius Fučík was a Czech composer born in 1872 in Prague, which was then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. As a student, he was skilled in playing the bassoon, violin, and various percussion instruments, and went on to study composition under Antonín Dvorák.

In 1891, Fučík joined the 49th Austro- Hungarian Regiment as a military musician, before leaving to become the conductor of the Danica Choir in Sisak, Croatia. During this time, Fučík also wrote chamber music pieces, often featuring the clarinet and bassoon.

Fučík is well-known for his numerous marches  which have become a staple in the repertory of military bands.  Some of his most popular marches include “Children of the Regiment,” “Entry of the Gladiators,  "The Florentiner," and "Fanfare Sounds."

In particular, his march "Our Heroes" Op. 289, composed in 1915, a year before his death, is an exuberant Hungarian march in 6/8 time, and is reminiscent of his popular march "Attila." Fučík's music has long been admired for its lively rhythms and upbeat melodies, making it a beloved part of any concert program.

Let Me Be Frank With You
by John Mackey

In the summer of 2020, in the midst of COVID, I desperately felt like I needed to write something joyful. So I started writing, and after about 24 measures, I had this terrible feeling – not uncommon for composers – that maybe the piece I was writing had already been written. And in this case, I feared that I had just plagiarized Frank Ticheli.

I sent the opening to Frank, who was incredibly gracious in his response. He said that he had NOT written this tune – although it’s clear that he could have. This is a Ticheli-esque tune if ever I had written one!

It turns out that if I think “let’s just write 3 minutes of joyful fun,” my brain jumps to “you mean Ticheli with an excessive amount of snare drum and a few extra wrong notes.”

Thank you to Frank Ticheli – to whom the piece is dedicated – for his inspiration.

Concertino for Trumpet
by Nicole Piunno

This concertino was first written for trumpet soloist, David Amlung, who wanted a piece for a mature soloist with ensemble parts that could be performed by high school or college musicians. The concertino consists of three connected movements, totaling approximately 10 minutes.

The first movement has a dance-like character at times, but also has an intense and aggressive quality to it. This movement gives way to a more solemn and prayerful second movement.  The third movement begins in this solemn state, yet quickly returns to an energetic character similar to the first movement.

Dragonfly
by Katahj Copley

With this piece, I wanted to pay homage to a composer who has influenced me in a huge way since my childhood, Joe Hisaishi. Mamoru Fujisawa, better known as Joe Hisaishi, is a Japanese film composer born in 1950 who has over 100 film scores and solo albums to his name.

Dubbed “the John Williams of Japan” by Pitchfork in 2017, he has won the Japanese Academy Award for Best Music seven times. He is best known as the main musical associate of the Studio Ghibli film studio, having scored all but one of Hayao Miyazaki’s animated films.

With this piece, I wanted to use his colors and his palette to paint a picture of intensity, beauty and adventure. The name of the piece is also another homage to one of his works, Dragon Boy.

Using his palette, I illustrate the journey of a dragonfly. From the beginning of the piece, it is an explosion of color and energy- representing the world of the dragonfly- and from there it is a journey of flight and peril for the small creature of the sky.

The Musketeers
by Oscar Navarro

“The Musketeers” is a fantasy for four clarinets and Wind Band inspired by Alexandre Dumas’ novel The Three Musketeers.

With this fantasy, I’ve attempted to musically translate the essence of Dumas’ work, describing the main characters of the work and leaving a door open to the imagination, since it would be impossible to musically narrate the entirety of the exploits of D’Artagnan and the other three musketeers.

The work is divided in 4 sections: “All for one, and one for all.” This section introduces D’Artagnan and the three musketeers. Epic and grandiose music opens the score, introducing us to each of the musketeers even representing a demonstration of D’Artagnan’s and his three faithful companions’ skills.

  • After this main section, we continue with Louis XIII. This is a new, much more calm and solemn section that evokes the sounds of the palace and the majesty of the benevolent King Louis XIII. This section is imbued with stately tones with the use of motifs drawn from the first section of the work, but this time with a more solemn and peaceful spirit that brings to mind the different rooms in the palace where Louis XIII lived day to day.

    After the section dedicated to the French king, we move on to a new much more somber and mysterious section. A section devoted to one of the darkest characters in the novel, Cardinal Richelieu, a dark section, a song to evil and the negative aspects of ecclesiastical powers.

    Finally, the last section of the piece leaves a door open to adventures and imagination. After this section describing the principal characters, the music takes a much more vigorous turn.

    Our group of personalities begins its escapades at this point and thus ends the work. However, it leaves open the possibility of a new chapter to follow…. a story forged by one of the greatest writers in history: Alexandre Dumas.

The Springboro Wind Symphony

Woodwinds

  • Catherine Abner *
    BM, Wright State University
    Director of Bands & Choral Activities,
    Valley View Schools

    Jodi Boeddeker
    MA, Lesley University
    Professional Musician &
    Private Music Teacher

    Tami Markworth
    BS, Wright State University
    Retired Educator

    Sarah Robertson
    MM, Wright State University
    Co-Founder & Studio Director,
    Sand Dollar Music

    Katie Baker
    MM, Wright State University
    Secretary,
    Masters in Counseling Student

    Liz Blakelock
    DVM, Ohio State University
    Veterinarian

    Chris Larson
    BS, Bridgewater College
    Medical Assistant

    Lauren Moore
    BM, Wright State University
    Independent Medicare Broker

    Hilary Toerner
    BM, Wright State University
    Music Educator,
    St. Albert the Great School

    Elizabeth Reeves (Piccolo)
    MM, Arizona State University
    Private Music Teacher

  • Krista Pfennig-Berning *
    MM, Yale University
    Band Director, Kettering City Schools

    Kaitlyn Nielsen
    B.B.A, University of Dayton
    Product Manager

  • Eric Tyler Barga *
    BM, New England Conservatory
    Musician

    Michael Eakin
    MM, Southern Methodist University
    Musician, Retired Military

  • Charles Boucher
    BM, Wright State University
    Music Education Consultant,
    Kincaid’s is Music Inc.

    Stephanie Catanzaro
    MA, Liberty University
    Executive Director,
    Springboro Wind Symphony

    Ryan Griffin *
    MM, Wright State University
    Band Director,
    Stivers School for the Arts

    Haley Kendall
    BM, Wright State University
    Private Clarinet Instructor &
    Store Manager, McCutcheon Music

    Jillissa Anderson
    MM, Wright State University
    Private Music Instructor

    Megan Jacobs
    BM, Wright State University
    Music Educator,
    Clark-Shawnee Local Schools

    Joseph Cadle
    BA, Miami University
    Project Manager & Design Engineer

    Stephanie Hearn
    MM, University of New Mexico
    Private Clarinet Instructor

    Emily Larson
    MA/MBA, University of Cincinnati
    Accountant

    Barbara Siler
    MM, Wright State University
    Band Director,
    Bellbrook-Sugarcreek Schools

    Melissa Dennedy
    MM, Boston University
    Music Educator, Loveland City Schools

    Brendin Gillem
    BM, Wright State University
    Music Educator, Stebbins High School

    Amanda Newton
    BA, University of Dayton
    Marketing Intelligence Supervisor, Reynolds & Reynolds

    Catherine O’Christie
    M.Ed, Wright State University
    Music Educator,
    Beavercreek City Schools

    Megan Rust
    BM, Miami University
    Elementary Music Teacher,
    Bethel Local Schools

  • Rachel Landers
    BM, Miami University
    Elementary Music Teacher,
    Wilmington City Schools

    Connor Reidy *
    BM, University of Dayton
    Band Director,
    Springboro Community Schools

    Sheila Reynolds
    MSE, University of Dayton
    Retired Band Director &
    Director, University of Dayton
    New Horizons Music Program

  • Michael Burns
    MSE, University of Dayton
    Band Director,
    Valley View Local School District

    Michael Sawzin *
    MM, Eastman School of Music
    Director of Performing Arts,
    Ursuline Academy of Cincinnati

    Zach Greenwalt
    BM, Wright State University
    Director of Bands, Dayton Christian

    Greg Matusak
    BM, Miami University
    Music Education Representative,
    Willis Music

  • Nicholas Palmer
    BM, University of Dayton
    Director of Bands,
    Springboro Community Schools

    Matt Warner *
    DMA, Boston University
    Band/Orchestra Director,
    Oak Hills City Schools
    Instructor, Sinclair Comm. College

  • Nick Hess
    DO, Ohio University
    Family Physician

Brass & Percussion

  • Jarod Gallenstein *
    MM, University of Cincinnati, CCM
    Musician

    Alex Lindon *
    MM, Wright State University
    Band Director, Mad River Local Schools

    Steve Monroe
    BM, University of Cincinnati, CCM
    Logistics, Retired, Ford Motor Co.

    Jesse Catanzaro
    MEd, Xavier University
    Educational Administration,
    Monroe Local Schools

    Greg Mills
    BM, University of Memphis
    Retired Band Director,
    Freelance Instructor

    John Harner
    MM, Wright State University
    Retired Band Director,
    Xenia Community Schools

    Amanda Fenton
    BM, Miami University
    Asst. Band Director,
    West Carrollton City Schools

    Elizabeth Ferris
    BM, Cedarville University
    Band Director,
    Springfield City Schools

    Josh Long
    MM, Ohio University
    Band Director, Franklin City Schools

    Wayne Markworth
    MM, Northwestern University
    Retired Director of Bands,
    Centerville High School

  • Mary Emery *
    BM, University of Cincinnati, CCM
    Horn Instructor,
    Stivers School for the Arts

    Rich Harover
    MD, University of Cincinnati
    Emergency Physician

    Tamara Frost
    MM, University of North Texas
    Music Teacher,
    Beavercreek City Schools

    Duetta Metz
    MS, Central Michigan University
    Financial Analyst, Retired

    Don Rader
    MM, Ohio University
    Owner/Distributor, DMR Express, LLC

    Andrew Weaver
    BM, Miami University
    Band Director,
    Beavercreek City Schools

    Kirsten Showers
    MM, Miami University
    Band Director,
    Huber Heights City Schools

    Jacob Lee
    BM, West Virginia University
    Band Director, Norwood City Schools

  • Mike Busch
    BM, Wright State University
    Elementary Music Teacher, Greeneview Local Schools

    Matt Frost
    MM, Wright State University
    Band Director,
    Beavercreek City Schools

    Connor Fuhrmann
    MM, Florida State University
    Low Brass Instructor,
    Central State University

    Wyatt Heinz
    BM, Wright State University
    Director of Bands, Piqua City Schools

    Gretchen McNamara *
    DMA, University of Cincinnati, CCM
    Senior Lecturer of Music,
    Wright State University

    Brendon Sapp
    MM, VanderCook College of Music
    Physical Science & Music Teacher, Wilmington City Schools

    Marlyn Strickland
    MM, Bowling Green State University
    HR & Payroll Coordinator

  • Don Greiman
    MS, Troy University
    President, The Greiman Group Consulting, Ltd.

    Andrew Sersion
    BM, Miami University
    Band Director, Lebanon City Schools

  • Ted Laws
    BSB, Wright State University
    Senior Portfolio Manager,
    Fifth Third Bank

    John Oliver
    MM, Ohio University
    Band Director, Carlisle Local Schools

    Andy Soloman *
    BM, Wright State University
    Student Success Coordinator,
    University of Cincinnati

    Francis Laws
    MM, University of Houston
    Retired Professor of Music,
    Wright State University

  • Anthony Lee *
    BM, Wright State University
    Project Manager

    Gary Stahler
    BS, Miami University
    Stay at Home Father

    David Stockler
    Department of Transportation

    Jimmy Suhr
    BM, Ohio University
    Band Director, Anna Local Schools

    Michael Ebie
    MM, Michigan State University
    PhD Candidate & TA in Music Theory,
    University of Cincinnati

  • Caitlin Coulson-Pfeiffer
    MM, Ohio University
    Choir Director,
    Miamisburg High School

    Shawn Fenton
    ABD, University of Cincinnati, CCM
    Musicologist, Miami University

    Hayden Floro
    BM, University of Cincinnati, CCM
    Percussionist & Music Educator

    Joseph Jacobs
    BM, Wright State University
    Music Educator & TRI-M Advisor,
    Valley View Local Schools

    Dan Moell *
    BM, Wright State University
    Baker & Freelance Composer

    Joseph Navarra
    MSAEE, University of Dayton
    Aerospace Engineer, USAF

    Andrew Seivert
    BM, Wright State University
    Percussion Instructor,
    Archbishop Alter High School

  • Jonathan Schneider
    MM, University of Illinois,
    Urbana-Champaign
    Freelance Harpist

Leave us a note!

If you enjoyed our performance or have any questions about our ensemble, we would love to hear from you!