The eccentric sounds of the Ventus Duo can be heard in the Recital Hall of the School of Music Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. Ventus is a crazy-sock-wearing performance duo that blends two rarely paired instruments into a fresh, new timbre.
“Ventus’ goal is to perform music unconventional by nature, intriguing by design and visually augmented by socks,” Benjamin Pullara, USC alumnus and trumpet player for Ventus said.
Daniel Wolfe, a second-year graduate student pursuing his masters in performance and Pullara's roommate, plays the bassoon. Together, the pair creates a bizarre mixture that gives them a unique essence on stage.
“The trumpet and the bassoon is such a weird combination, we found all of four pieces written for it,” Wolfe said. “We get music written for us that’s a little unconventional.”
And unconventional it is. Ventus will be incorporating electronics into their recital.
Yes, you heard them right — electronics. By using electronics, Ventus found a way to dazzle their audience.
“Spontaneity, flash and a little techno is added for good measure,” Pullara said. “We strive to find new pieces of music to perform. We were lucky enough to have USC School of Music student, John Kammerer, write us a piece for bassoon, trumpet and electronics, which may be the first of its kind.”
Wolfe says the audience can look forward to an exciting jazz feel from this exceptional piece in their performance.
“It has a techno, funk, improv feel to it. It’s completely out of my comfort zone and Benny’s as well,” Wolfe said.
Once Ventus embraced the oddity of their instrumental combination, they were able to step out of their comfort zones. After that Wolfe started to view classical music as entertainment.
“If you’re not being an entertainer there really isn’t any point to performing. I feel like no one wants to listen to something that’s boring, no matter how high-minded or artistic you think it is,” Wolfe said.
Pullara also feels that the audience’s satisfaction is one of the key points to entertaining.
“Seeing the look of enjoyment on the audience members' faces is one of my favorite parts of performing," Pullara said. "It feels like you have actually made a positive mark on their lives.”
Their performance goals aren’t the only thing the duo has in common. Pullara and Wolfe both agree that their favorite setting to create music will always be Ventus.
As close friends and roommates, both performers realize the talent the other has and how the friendship benefits their shows.
“It’s easy to work with him, we know when to be serious and when we can goof off and be kind of ridiculous,” Wolfe said. “It’s also nice to be able to make fun of someone and yourself when you’re rehearsing. You want to be able to laugh and be self-deprecating and not feel like you’re letting the other person down.”
As they strive to be unique, both Wolfe and Pullara know it is essential as a musician to get yourself out there and create your own opportunities to perform.
“Don’t let the rules of standard instrumentation phase you,” Pullara said. “Think outside of the standard box. You’ll get there sooner by clearing your own path rather than trying to push through the congestion of what most people are doing.”