Joining the USC Symphonic Winds ensemble after switching majors from nursing helped make second-year music education student Landon Bunker feel more included in the School of Music.
“Everybody pretty much knows everybody, because we're all here 24/7, so among the members, it's very relaxed,” Bunker said. “Everybody's there to make music, and everybody loves it, so it's just a great vibe in general.”
The Symphonic Winds is one of three performance ensembles incorporated into the School of Music that music educations students are required to audition for before the semester begins. The ensemble is conducted by Jay Jacobs, associate director of bands, and is composed of brass, woodwinds and percussion musicians.
Jacobs said a difference from the Carolina Band is there are no preseason practices for the Symphonic Winds. Students in the ensemble learn about each other by playing side-by-side during their rehearsals throughout the week, he said.
Jacobs said when students perform together, they see the full musical picture, compared to when practicing alone. When leading students, he said he enjoys watching them experience what he went through as a trumpet player himself.
“The element of an individual being part of creating something that's bigger than just themselves is always part of the ensemble music experience, no matter what kind of ensemble it is,” Jacobs said.
Second-year music performance doctoral student Ryan Contreras said he plays several parts with his saxophone to keep him on his toes. Whether it is tenor, alto or baritone, he said his skills have improved greatly between this semester and last semester due to being in the ensemble.
Contreras is constantly playing under Jacobs' direction throughout the week as principal chair for the saxophone players. He said the atmosphere with Jacobs is open and helps improve the ensemble's music dynamic.
“Dr. Jacobs goes above and beyond,” Contreras said. “Everything that he does, he makes sure that he communicates well with us what he wants, whether it's a change in rehearsal time or the expectations that he sets out for us.”
Performances and rehearsal times vary based on what the student is performing in, Bunker said. He said at the beginning of the semester, an overall read of the music is done. At the end of the semester, the musicians understand what specific parts need to be worked on.
Students switch on and off stage during performances, depending on the song. Bunker said everyone has a chance to move around even though he is sixth chair in the trumpet section, sometimes he plays the third part.
“Even if you place ‘lower than someone else,’ you still usually end up playing a higher part, and everybody gets an equal share of responsibility and everything like that,” Bunker said.
Second-year music education student Nyla Pinckney said the ensemble brings a sense of belonging when performing together. She said she enjoys being challenged while playing in a light atmosphere.
Jacobs is not shy when he wants the music to a sound a certain way and Pinckney likes that he is up front with everyone during rehearsals, she said.
“Since I was 12, I've been in a band playing with people,” Pinckney said. “I think me coming here and not doing that, I would have lost a piece of myself ... High schoolers don't play like college students, so that's definitely something that I really do love about being in this ensemble.”
Auditons for the USC Symphonic Winds ensemble will be held Dec. 2 through Dec. 5. More information can be found on their website.