Las Vegas Academy of the Arts Wind Ensemble
2023 Western International Band Clinic | Seattle, Washington
Saturday, November 18, 2023 | 7:30pm
2023 Western International Band Clinic | Seattle, Washington
Saturday, November 18, 2023 | 7:30pm
THE LAS VEGAS ACADEMY OF THE ARTS WIND ENSEMBLE
John Seaton, Director
David Maccabee, Director
In a special performance at the 2023 Western International Band Clinic: Saturday, November 18, 2023 | 7:30pm
Las Vegas Academy of the Arts promotes an interdisciplinary foundation for lifelong learning by motivating, empowering, and challenging our students to be academic, artistic, and compassionate individuals.
Las Vegas Academy of the Arts: http://lasvegasacademy.net/
Las Vegas Academy of the Arts Band: http://lvaband.com/
LAS VEGAS ACADEMY OF THE ARTS
The Las Vegas Academy of the Arts (LVA) is one of the premier arts magnet schools in the nation. LVA’s award-winning programs serve approximately 1,700 students in Clark County, Nevada. Located in the center of the Las Vegas Founders District, LVA serves students from throughout the Clark County School District in grades 9-12. LVA provides students the opportunity to pursue a conservatory major in the areas of dance, music, theater, or visual arts. The programs available include band, vocal music, dance, guitar, mariachi, orchestra, photography, piano, studio art, technical theater, theater, graphic design, video production, and world jazz studies. LVA is a part of the Clark County School District, and is free for students to attend. LVA offers students academically challenging learning experiences and empowers them with the 21st-century skills and knowledge to compete successfully in the international workplace. LVA is a FIVE-STAR school according to the Nevada School Accountability System and boasts a 100% graduation rate, with a rigorous Advanced Placement program as well as many dual credit and CTE programs. Eighty percent of its graduating seniors enroll in a post-secondary institution, and last year, over $22 million in scholarships were awarded.
The Las Vegas Academy of the Arts has received national, state, and local accolades, including recognition from the White House and Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman. LVA has received twelve Grammy Signature School Awards for excellence in music programs and was recognized by the International Network of Performing and Visual Arts Schools as a STAR school. In 2000, the U.S. Department of Education recognized LVA as a New American High School. In 2002, the U.S. Department of Education honored LVA as a U.S. Blue Ribbon School, making it one out of only 17 high schools in the country to have received both prestigious awards. LVA has been designated a School of Distinction by Magnet Schools of America, and in 2013, received the Outstanding Arts School Award from the Arts Schools Network (ASN), the nation’s largest professional membership organization of specialized arts schools. Most recently, ASN awarded LVA Exemplary Status 2018-2023 for overall excellence and leadership in arts education.
LAS VEGAS ACADEMY OF THE ARTS BAND PROGRAM
The Las Vegas Academy of the Arts Band Program focuses on developing musicianship through a comprehensive music education program. Students receive regularly scheduled small group instruction (sectionals), as well as individualized instruction from staff and private lesson instructors. The LVA Band Program offers performance opportunities with three levels of concert bands, as well as two levels of orchestral winds and percussion classes paired with full orchestra.
Sectional classes are partnered with large ensembles to further assist students in their musical development, with electives also available in Music Technology and Music Theory. In addition, students are offered a wide range of performance and travel opportunities, festival experiences, and interactions with world-renowned guest artists.
The Las Vegas Academy Band Program has been recognized as a Blue Ribbon Program of Excellence award winner by the National Band Association, as well as a Mark of Excellence winner in the National Wind Band Honors Project. Recent performances outside of Nevada for the program include the Las Vegas Academy Wind Ensemble performing as an invited guest at the Pacific Basin Music Festival (2016), Western International Band Clinic (2017), a gala performance at the Musikverein in Vienna, Austria (2019), and the 76th Annual Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic (2022). Past performances include the Music for All National Concert Band Festival, multiple UNLV Wind Orchestra concerts, as well as the Auditorio de Zaragoza in Zaragoza, Spain. Guest artists have included performers such as Timothy McAllister, Epoch Percussion Quartet, Joe Alessi (New York Philharmonic, principal trombone), Chris Castellanos, the Boston Brass, and numerous others. Guest composers that have been on campus to work with the Wind Ensemble include Kimberly Archer and Viet Cuong.
Las Vegas Academy of the Arts Wind Ensemble
Flute
Elizabeth Alsenz, Sachi Blevins, Ivy Cuda, Gianna Gagliano, Shiloh Ha, Kenna Rushforth, Oliver Tanouye, Angela Wang
Oboe
Noah Hill, Heidi Ringger, Emilia Tranquilino
Bassoon
Richard Aron, Kaylynne Cantwell, Claire Gillespie, John Hussey
Clarinet
Cadence Cole, Melody Cole, Brennan Fischl, Ruben Gonzaga Matias, Jong Min Kang, Alana Luna, Kelsey Meikle, Eliel Perez, Isabella Polyak, Abigail Tamrat
Bass Clarinet
Zebulun Clarke, Emanuelle Eustaquio
Saxophone
Christopher Montanez, Robert Morales, Wilson Ricard, Andrew Stroud, Christian Tassin, Brady Thom
Trumpet
Brandon Blanco, Scott Brady, Haley Downey, Owen Huynh, Charisse Kawakami, Owen O'Donnell, Joseph Thornton
Horn
Julia DeLoe, Cole Kalahiki, Dominic Polyak, Evelyn Robbins, Melanie Zelaya
Trombone
Erik Cruz, Daniel Do, Shane Downey, Quinton Krull, Gabriel Madayag, Antonio Ricafort
Euphonium
Alexander Allred, Liora Fink, Nyomi Miller
Tuba
Ethan Arnal, Austin Birmingham, Bradon Greenis, Mason Rafferty
Percussion
Evangeline Abbeduto, Matthew Heide, Harvard (Trey) Lomax, Addison Mangusing, Eileen Wang, Jordan Yanos
Bass
Cole Gruenberg
Piano
Raylen Oliveros
Fanfare Politeia
Kimberly K. Archer
Fanfare Politeia is an homage to the origins of our democracy, and to the ancient sources that Madison, Hamilton, Jefferson, and Adams drew from in their conceiving and writing our Constitution. "Politeia" is a Greek word derived from "polis" (city). Aristotle used the term to represent concepts such as citizens' rights and constitutional government, while Plato's examination of justice – a book which we now call The Republic, in English – was actually entitled Politeia in the original Greek.
Commissioned by "The President's Own" United States Marine Band for the 59th Presidential Inauguration, Fanfare Politeia celebrates our traditions of a free and fair election, and of a peaceful transfer of power.
-Program Note by Composer
Tam O'Shanter
Malcolm Arnold, arr. John P. Paynter
This overture, written in 1955, depicts Tam’s ride home from Ayr in the pre-dawn dark. He happens upon a lighted church and secretly watches a band of witches cavorting to their master’s bagpipes. One pleases Tam so well that he cries out “Weel done, cutty-sark!”, voiced here on solo trombone. Instantly all is dark, and the wicked legion pursues him. If he reaches the bridge he is safe, for fiends cannot cross running water. He spurs Maggie toward home at top speed, but the vengeful hags are close on his heels approaching the middle of the bridge over the River Doon. In the furious climax, a witch springs to seize him, but too late -- all she gets is Maggie’s tail. Tam arrives safely at home, but faces one last peril, heard in the four closing measures, when his shrewish wife reacts poorly to his account of the evening.
-Program Note by Composer
Re(new)al
Viet Cuong
I. Hydro
II. Wind
III. Solar
Epoch Percussion Quartet, guest artists
The composer writes: I have tremendous respect for the renewable energy initiatives and the commitment to creating a new, better reality for us all. Re(new)al is a percussion quartet concerto that is similarly devoted to finding unexpected ways to breathe new life into traditional ideas, and the solo quartet therefore performs on several “found” instruments. And while the piece also features more traditional instruments, such as snare drum and vibraphone, I looked for ways to either alter their sounds or find new ways to play them. For instance, certain notes of the vibraphone are prepared with aluminum foil to recreate sounds found in electronic music.
Cooperation and synergy are also core themes of the piece, as I believe we all have to work together to move forward. All of the music played by the solo quartet is comprised of single musical ideas that are evenly distributed between the four soloists (for those interested, the fancy musical term for this is a hocket). The music would therefore be dysfunctional without the presence and dedication of all four members.
Re(new)al is constructed of three continuous movements, each inspired by the transcendent power of hydro, wind, and solar energies.
-Program Note by Composer
Embers and Droplets
Jorge Machain
*World Premiere*
Embers and Droplets was commissioned by Quinton Krull as part of his generous donation to the 2023 Opulence Gala for the Las Vegas Academy of Performing Arts. The piece begins with woodwinds playing quartal harmony while the melody is passed on by the upper woodwinds. Following this statement, the brass carries the melody on a lower, much richer, and lush register. The middle section brings the entire ensemble to an exciting and deeply profound moment, encompassing a feeling of riveting emotion by the extreme registers of the instruments and lushness of the chords. We bring the piece to a close with a quieter and tranquil moment leaving the listener with a sense of warmth and reflection.
-Program Note by Composer
Symphony No. 4, "West Point"
Morton Gould
II. Marches
This symphony was composed for the West Point Sesquicentennial Celebration, marking 150 years of progress at the United States Military Academy. The composer was invited to contribute a composition for this event.
The second movement, titled Marches, is a brilliant but subtle paraphrase on marches and marching. The various tunes parade past in an array of embellishments and rhythmic variations. At the beginning of the movement, and in later sections as well, the wind instruments play figures which suggest typical snare drum rhythms. At one point a simulation of a fife and drum corps recalls the instrumentation of the original West Point Band. After numerous transformations of the principal marching motif the work ends in a virtuoso coda of martial fanfares and flourishes.
-Program Note by Composer
JOHN SEATON serves as the Director of Bands at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts, an arts magnet school in the Clark County (Las Vegas) School District, one of the largest school districts in the country. Mr. Seaton is in his 8th year at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts and his 4th year as Director of Bands. His responsibilities include conducting the Wind Ensemble (V3) and Symphonic Band (V1), Co-Conducting the Philharmonic Orchestra (O4) and teaching Woodwind Techniques. Ensembles under Mr. Seaton’s direction have consistently garnered superior ratings in adjudication, and maintain an active schedule of travel and conference performances, most recently receiving the invitation to perform at the 76th annual Midwest Clinic in 2022. In 2018, Mr. Seaton was recognized as a “Teacher of Influence” at a reception hosted at UNLV, in which a recent LVA graduate submitted an essay highlighting his influence on their path to college. Mr. Seaton was recently selected by a student panel of the Las Vegas Young Artists Orchestra as the 2023 "High School Music Teacher of the Year," for "going above and beyond to offer students unique musical experiences, inspiring students to succeed, and exposing students to diverse repertoire, styles, and genres."
As a saxophonist, he has performed multiple times with both the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and Las Vegas Philharmonic, and has performed concerti as a soloist with both the Wright State University Chamber Orchestra and Symphony Orchestra, the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra, and The Desert Winds. Additionally, he has given recitals across the United States and on the international stage, including performances at multiple North American Saxophone Alliance (NASA) Conferences, the U.S. Navy Band International Saxophone Symposium, the Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) State Conference, the Blue Wisp Jazz Club, and both a solo and quartet recital of world premieres at the 2012 World Saxophone Congress XVI in St. Andrews, Scotland.
Consistently in demand as a guest clinician and private instructor, Mr. Seaton has previously taught applied saxophone lessons for the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University, district-wide clinics for the Clark County School District, and high schools across the United States. Students under his instruction have been accepted into the saxophone studios at the University of Michigan, Northwestern University, Youngstown State University, Wright State University, the Interlochen Saxophone Institute, and the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp. An avid writer, he has been published multiple times by The Instrumentalist magazine with articles including “Adjusting Saxophone Fingerings” and “The Art of Teaching Saxophone: An Interview with Timothy McAllister.” Mr. Seaton has also recently presented invited sessions at both the Arts Schools Network and Nevada Music Teachers Association conferences.
Outside of the classroom, Mr. Seaton serves as the Associate Conductor and Principal Saxophonist of The Desert Winds: A Contemporary Wind Ensemble, which recently traveled to perform at The Midwest Clinic in 2016. The organization features a roster of performers that include many local music educators, college students and freelance musicians. Since its debut, the Desert Winds has reached thousands of people through both inspiring performances and educational programs. Mr. Seaton also serves as the wind section coach for the Las Vegas Young Artists Orchestra, a high school/collegiate extracurricular youth orchestra.
Mr. Seaton holds an M.M. in Saxophone Performance with Program Honors from the Bienen School of Music at Northwestern University and a B.M. in Music Education, summa cum laude, from the Wright State University School of Music. His primary teachers include Timothy McAllister and Shelley Jagow. Mr. Seaton is a Conn-Selmer Artist, D’Addario Woodwinds Artist, and Key Leaves artist. He performs exclusively on Selmer Paris saxophones, D’Addario reeds, and uses Key Leaves saxophone care products.
DAVID MACCABEE is currently the Associate Director of Bands at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts. His responsibilities there include conducting the Wind Symphony, Co-Conducting the Symphony Orchestra, as well as teaching Chamber Music, Brass Methods, and Music Theory.
He was formerly Director of Bands at United Township High School (UTHS), in East Moline, Illinois from 1986-2016 where he was director of all instrumental music ensembles. Previous positions include Geneseo and Nokomis Illinois school systems, immediate past Director of the Prairie Wind Ensemble, and most recently was the Associate Director of Bands at Palo Verde High School, in Las Vegas, NV.
David Maccabee is a frequent guest conductor, clinician, and adjudicator throughout the United States. His professional affiliations include the NEA, NAfME, the National Band Association (where he served as Illinois State Chair in 2014-15), and Pi Kappa Lambda. Maccabee has received accolades from the city of East Moline, East Moline Rotary Club, John Deere and Co., UTHS, Western Illinois University, VanderCook College of Music, and a seven-time recipient of the National Band Association’s Citation of Excellence
Under his direction, the UTHS Symphonic Band was selected for five featured stage performances at the Music for All National Concert Band Festival. In 1998, the UTHS Symphonic Band performed at the prestigious Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. In 2014, Maccabee was named “Bandmaster of the Year” by the Illinois chapter of Phi Beta Mu. Under his direction, the UTHS Symphonic Band performed at the University of Illinois prestigious Superstate Band Festival on many occasions, and was named Honor Band in 2015. In 2000, he was elected to membership in the prestigious American Bandmasters Association.
In addition, the UTHS Marching Band received many awards and honors, including being a 16 time finalist at the State of Illinois Invitational Marching Championships, where they were named Class Champions on 6 different occasions. Additionally, the UTHS Marching Band was named both a Bands of America regional finalist, as well as a grand national semi-finalist.
Maccabee received his BME from Augustana College (IL) and received his MME from VanderCook College of Music.
KAREN CAMUGLIA is the Director of Operations with the Las Vegas Academy Band Program and has worked in that position for the past 17 years. She is responsible for the finances, travel, and logistics for the bands along with helping students and parents navigate the road to college. Both of her sons graduated from LVA's band department, hold degrees in music performance, and have successful careers in music. Their education and experiences at LVA have shaped them both. "I feel very fortunate to be a part of the school and the music department here at LVA. The school changes lives and it’s extremely rewarding to be a part of this program.”
Prior to working in the Clark County School District she had an extensive career as a Computer Consultant, Trainer, and Client Manager with Quality Systems, Inc. in Southern California. A Milwaukee native, she worked with dental and medical offices across the U.S. and after many years of traveling she met her husband Rosario. They eventually moved to Las Vegas and have been there for over 30 years.
PATRICK BOWEN is the LVA Director of Percussion, and has been the Director of the World Jazz Studies program at the Las Vegas Academy of the Arts since 2001. He is presently the Principal Percussionist with the Las Vegas Philharmonic and performed in a two-year run as a percussionist in “Showstoppers” at Wynn Las Vegas Hotel and Casino. He played in the Sinatra 100: An All-Star GRAMMY Concert with stars such as Celine Dion, Tony Bennett, Lady Gaga, Garth Brooks, Harry Connick, Jr., Seth MacFarlane, and Usher to commemorate Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday. He has been a guest soloist with the Hartt Symphony, Henderson Civic Orchestra, and UNLV Percussion Ensemble. He has also played with Elton John, Clint Black, Sheila E, Wynona Judd, Lionel Richie, Dudley Moore, Boys II Men, Michael Bolton, Kenny G, Oleta Adams, Fleetwood Mac, Stevie Wonder, Don Henley, Tim McGraw, Brian McKnight, Andrea Bocelli, and David Foster.
Mr. Bowen has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance from the Hartt School of Music (Cum Laude), a Master’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Montana, and a Teaching Certificate from UNLV. He studied jazz under Jackie McClean, Nat Reeves, Jaki Byard, and Alexander Lepak. Patrick Bowen is proud to be endorsed
by Crescent Cymbals, Grover Pro Percussion, Regal Tip by Calato, and Toca Percussion.
Epoch Percussion Quartet
Four percussionists with a passion for performing challenging new percussion works, the Epoch Percussion Quartet came together at The University of Texas at Austin in 2016. Members Dr. Andrew Lynge (The University of Alabama), Nigel Fernandez (New York, NY), Dr. Oni Lara (The United States Army Band "Pershing's Own"), and Cory Fica (Miami, FL) were students when they created the quartet to perform Dinuk Wijeratne’s Invisible Cities with Jerry Junkin and The University of Texas at Austin Wind Ensemble. Epoch has appeared throughout the US in residencies and has appeared as soloists at the American Bandmasters Association, the World Youth Wind Symphony at the Interlochen Arts Camp, and the Dallas Winds, in addition to universities.
Special Thanks
LVA Administration
Lezlie Koepp - Principal, Josh Hager - Assistant Principal, Sarah Robinson - Assistant Principal, Jennifer Shuler - Assistant Principal, Susan Thornton - Assistant Principal/Communications Coordinator, Patricia Carroll - Assistant Principal, Jenny Valdez - Student Success Facilitator, Brian Downey - Development Office
LVA Band Paraprofessionals
Minji Wu - Flute, Taylor Crawford - Oboe, Liz Valvano - Bassoon, Yasuko Cheetham - Clarinet, Chris Armeno - Clarinet, Shawna Pennock - Saxophone, Tom Wright - Trumpet, Eric On - Horn, Hitomi Shoji - Trombone, Jeffrey McCracken - Tuba, Adam Dunson - Percussion
2023-2024 LVA Band Boosters
President: Shana Valenti, Vice President: Jen Becker, Tresurer: Kristen Thom, Secretary: Donna Calif, Volunteer Coordinator: Amy Tassin, Social Media Coordinator: Rosemary Nagy, Booster Liaison: Valerie Morales
CCSD Administration
Dr. Jesus F. Jara - Superintendent, Dr. Brenda Larsen-Mitchell - Deputy Superintendent, Dr. Mike Barton - Chief College, Career Equity, and School Choice Officer, Shannon La Neve - Director of Humanities Department, Jeff Williams - Coordinator, Secondary Music, Dance, & Theater, Dr. Celese Rayford - Region 2 Superintendent, Monica Lang - Region 2 School Associate Superintendent
CCSD Board of School Trustees
Evelyn Garcia Morales - President/District C, Lola Brooks - Vice President/District E, Irere Bustamante Adams - Clerk/District F, Linda P. Cavazos - Member/District G, Lisa Guzmán - Member/District A, Katie Williams - Member/District B, Brenda Zamora - Member/District D
Selected Individuals & Groups
Viet Cuong, for spending your time with us
Friends of LVA
Clark County School District & Las Vegas area band directors
Timothy Rhea, Thomas Leslie, Donald McKinney, & Scott Casagrande
Anita Renwick, Teresa Bartek, & Rosario Camuglia