green level high school Wind Ensemble North Carolina Music Educators Association Professional Development Conference Benton Convention Center Winston-Salem, NC Monday, November 6, 2023, 3PM Brian Myers, Director
Green Level High School Wind Ensemble Composed primarily of Juniors and Seniors, the Wind Ensemble is the most advanced of the curricular ensembles at Green Level High School. The Green Level Wind Ensemble proudly performs music written by diverse composers from around the world, representing the diverse student population that encompasses Green Level High and its band program. In its fifth year since the school’s opening, the Green Level Wind Ensemble has earned superior ratings at Music Performance Adjudication clinics in the East Central District. Numerous students of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, and Concert Band are accepted into and perform in honor bands and other community ensembles such as the Triangle Youth Philharmonic, Triangle Youth Brass Band, and the Triangle Youth Jazz Ensemble. In the 2022-23 school year, 52 Green Level Band students placed into the ECDBA All-District Band and 13 into the NC All-State Honors Band. The 2022-23 Green Level Bands placed 52 students into the East Central District All-District Band and 13 students into the North Carolina All-State Honor Band. We are proud and honored to perform at the North Carolina Music Educators’ Association Conference today.
Grand Fanfare (2004), Giancarlo Castro D’Addona Here We Rest (2011), Anthony Barfield Level Up (2023), L. Brianna Ware World Premiere to Honor the 5th year of Green Level High School Catch Me if You Can (2002), John Williams/arr. Bocook Featuring Mr. Erik Riggs, Saxophone(Band Director of Mills Park Middle School) Moth (2013), Viet Cuong Program
Grand Fanfare - Giancarlo Castro D’Addona "Grand Fanfare" by Giancarlo d'Addona is a thrilling and majestic composition that showcases the grandeur and exuberance of a ceremonial fanfare. This dynamic piece opens with a burst of energy, immediately captivating the audience with its bold brass and percussion. Through a masterful blend of harmonies and rhythmic precision, d'Addona creates a musical spectacle that evokes images of grand processions and regal events. "Grand Fanfare" is a testament to the composer's ability to craft a vibrant and celebratory musical experience. Here We Rest - Anthony Barfield "Here We Rest" by Anthony Barfield is dedicated to the state of Alabama in tribute to the victims of the 2011 tornado and those who were affected by it. It is a deeply contemplative and evocative composition that invites listeners on a poignant journey through themes of reflection, resilience, and the human spirit. With a rich tapestry of musical textures and emotive melodies, Barfield captures the essence of moments of stillness amidst life's challenges. The piece gracefully unfolds with a delicate balance of introspective passages and moments of quiet strength, echoing the resilience found within us. "Here We Rest" serves as a musical meditation, encouraging audiences to pause, connect with their inner selves, and find solace and hope in the midst of adversity, ultimately leaving them with a sense of renewed determination and inner peace. Program Notes
Level Up - L. Brianna Ware “Level Up” was written to celebrate and commemorate the 5th anniversary of the founding of Green Level High School (GLHS) in Cary, NC. The work is titled “Level Up” not only in reference to the school’s name, but also as an allusion to video game jargon. The piece as a whole traces the progress of GLHS from the inception of the building project to the founding and opening of the school and finally to its quinquennial anniversary. I chose to represent this narrative by reformatting it and thinking of it like a video game plot. The work opens with a fanfare led by the woodwinds and brass. This triumphant motive is representative of the beginning of a new quest, which for Cary, N,C., equated to building a a new high school. Following this upbeat and exultant section, the tone of the piece changes to one of contemplation, reflection, and apprehension. Just as a video game’s hero faces trials on his journey, I am positive that the planning committee for GLHS also faced numerous challenges on their quest to found and open the school. Red tape, politics, decision making, budgeting, and so many more issues could have threatened to derail the project. However, their efforts and perseverance paid off. GLHS was opened in 2019, ready to educate this generation and the next of students for years to come. However, GLHS had one more huge obstacle to face- -COVID-19. In most video games, there comes a time when the main character must face and defeat either one (or multiple) opponent(s) in order to move forward in the game. This formidable opponent is called a “boss.” In the case of GLHS, its most imposing “boss” was the COVID-19 pandemic. it seemed that the school was just beginning on its quest when its future became threatened by COVID. The listener can hear this epic battle between “good and evil” with the entrance of the low brass and piano playing a syncopated, driving rhythm, followed by the prominent insertions by the percussion section. The full ensemble enters and the “hero’s “ triumph over the “boss” is signalled by an exultant exclamation from the brass. The piece concludes with a return to the original fanfare theme and closes rousingly with full ensemble forces. Just as the hero defeated his foes during the “first leg” of his quest, so did Green Level High School. To the faculty, staff, administration, and students of Green Level High School and to the citizens of Cary, congratulations on your 5th anniversary! May you be blessed with many years of success. Go Gators!!! Program Notes
Catch Me if You Can - John Williams/arr. Bocook Featuring Mr. Erik Riggs, Saxophone (Band Director of Mills Park Middle School) Haunting and captivating describes John Williams' score to the hit movie “Catch Me If You Can” that starred Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. The music features an alto sax soloist and a wide variety of unique percussion and scoring devices. This superb arrangement includes the most striking musical themes from the soundtrack in a marvelous concert setting. John Williams adapted this version for his “Escapades for Alto Saxophone and Orchestra.” Moth - Viet Cuong “The “moth to the flame” narrative is a familiar one. We have all seen moths in the glow of flames or stadium lights. Scientists call this phenomenon “phototaxis,” but I prefer to think of this attraction in much more romantic terms. The dusty moth, though destined to live in shadow, has an insatiable craving for the brightness of day. Drab, but elegant, nervous, but swift, his taste for the glow of the flame or the filament is dire. Perhaps he dances in the light because it holds the promise that he might be as beautiful as his favored kin, the butterfly. For only there, in its ecstatic warmth, may he spend the last of his fleeting life, and believe himself to be. Moth seeks inspiration from the dualities between light and dark, beautiful and grotesque, reality and fantasy, and the ultimate decision to sacrifice sensibility for grace.” Program Notes
Director of Bands Brian Myers is the past Chair of the East Central District Bandmasters Association. He has served as the Director of Bands at Green Level High School since the school opened in 2019. Before that, he was the Director of Bands at Green Hope High School from 2007-2019. Myers completed his undergraduate degree in Music Education from East Carolina University in May 2004 and his Masters of Music Education degree from Boston University in September 2007. In November 2010, he became a National Board certified teacher and renewed his certification in October 2020. Mr. Myers has conducted the Craven, Johnston, Lincoln, Onslow, and Randolph All-County Bands and the Blue Band at the UNC-Wilmington Honor Band Festival. He has been a conductor for the UNC-Greensboro Summer Music Camp (2017-2023) and the ECU Summer Music Camp (2023). Mr. Myers was the 2014-15 Green Hope HS Teacher of the Year and the 2015 Central District Bandmasters’ Association Band Director of the Year. Mr. Myers received the Excellence in Teaching Award by the Cary Chamber of Commerce in May 2018. Myers has commissioned works by composers Philip Sparke, Martin Ellerby, and Aaron Perrine, and has been a member of consortiums for commissions by composers John Mackey and Tyler Grant. He is excited and honored to premiere a work by composer Dr. Brianna Ware at the 2023 NCMEA Conference in honor of the 5th anniversary of Green Level High School. BRIAN MYERS
Featured Soloist ERIK RIGGS Mr. Riggs graduated from West Virginia State University with his degree in Music Education K-12 then attended East Carolina University for graduate studies in Saxophone Performance and Jazz Studies. Following graduate school, he was selected as a member of the premiere cast of “Blast II:Shockwave,” the sequel to the Tony and Emmy award winning Broadway show, “Blast!” He performed for four months at Disney World’s EPCOT, then toured with the show for 189 performances in 46 states. Following this tour, he began teaching in Wake County. His first year at East Millbrook Magnet School he was awarded both the New Teacher of the Year for the school as well as New Teacher of the Year for all of Wake County. This was followed by Teacher of the Year at EMMMS in 2009, the same year he earned his National Board Certification in Early and Middle Childhood Music. Mr. Riggs was recruited from Wake County Schools in 2011 to teach abroad at the Canadian International School of Singapore. Living in Singapore, he had the opportunity to travel, teach, and perform across Southeast Asia. Mr. Riggs has over eighteen years of experience as a music educator at the elementary, middle, high, and collegiate level. Under his direction, his students have participated in all available honors ensembles as well as received multiple Superior ratings at North Carolina MPA and competitions out of state. Beyond his classroom experience, Mr. Riggs is an active performer and clinician. He has more than twenty five years of experience teaching private woodwind lessons and working as a clinician for area high schools and universities. He has performed on stage with many prestigious jazz musicians and ensembles. He can be found locally performing with various bands and in the orchestra pit of NC State University Theatre, PlayMakers Repertory Company, Theatre Raleigh, and Theatre in the Park. Mr. Riggs is currently the band director at Mills Park Middle School where he teaches over 300 band students per day. He currently resides in Durham, NC with his wife and three children.
Composer LAWREN BRIANNA WARE Dr. Lawren Brianna Ware, a Gadsden, Alabama native, is a recent graduate of The University of Wisconsin-Madison where she earned her DMA in Music Composition with a minor in musicology. Compositionally, Dr. Ware’s goal is to “write music that makes one feel.” Although she is an “up and coming” composer, she has begun to secure her place in the world of contemporary classical composition. Dr. Ware’s compositions have been featured on two professionally recorded albums (the Amernet Quartet’s “Alabama String Quartets (Birmingham Arts Music Alliance)”(2020) and Dr. Cole Bartels’ “On the Brink”(2022)) and will be included on upcoming albums by Marcus Eley (clarinet) and Lara Downes (piano). Her most recent projects include being the inaugural composer and co-founder of the Black Composer Revival Consortium, composing for the Minnesota Consortium for Black American Composers (2020), and composing and releasing an electronic music album in conjunction with comic book writer Jaromir François on the comic My Brother Teddy (2021). In July of 2022, Brianna became the first African-American composer selected to be the composer in residence for the Seal Bay Music Festival in Vinalhaven, Maine. Additionally, she is presently working with with Access Contemporary Music (ACM) on their Songs About Buildings and Moods video series which explores the connection between architecture and music.
Located in Cary, NC, Green Level High School opened in August 2019 for 9th and 10th graders. 11th and 12th grade classes were added for the 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years respectively. GLHS operates on a 4x4 traditional schedule and serves approximately 2,100 students. Mission Statement: Green Level High School will provide a relevant and engaging education and will graduate students who are collaborative, creative, effective communicators and critical thinkers. Vision Statement: Green Level High School is dedicated to cultivating an equitable, inclusive, and culturally responsive environment that promotes self-discovery and fosters the realization of every student’s potential. Kindness We believe that kindness is the highest virtue. We recognize and encourage compassion for others. Community We believe there is power in connectedness and authentic relationships. We are a school where everyone belongs. Self & World Awareness We believe that diversity is a strength and that education should promote cultural awareness, a sense of our place in the larger world, and the ability to see that world from perspectives other than our own. Leadership We believe that promoting a culture of service and providing opportunities for continuous learning and development will help our students to become productive citizens and community leaders of vision, imagination, and empathy. Balance We value the whole student- -the athlete, the artist, the critical thinker, the free spirit, the individual of moral character. We encourage a healthy balance between academics, extra-curricular interests, and self-care. Values Green Level High School
North Carolina Music Educators, I am writing with immense pride and joy to congratulate the Green Level Wind Ensemble and their esteemed director, Brian Myers, on their selection to perform at the 2023 North Carolina Music Educators' Association(NCMEA) Annual Conference. This accomplishment is not just a testament to their talent and dedication, but also a shining example of the power and value of arts education. It is through opportunities like these that our students not only showcase their skills but also learn the importance of discipline, teamwork, and creative expression. Arts education is a vital part of our curriculum, fostering creativity and critical thinking in our students. It is through the tireless efforts of educators like Brian Myers that we are able to instill a love for the arts in our students and help them reach their full potential. I am confident that they will represent our district with distinction and demonstrate the high caliber of our arts education programs. Once again, congratulations to the Green Level Wind Ensemble, their parents, and Director Brian Myers. Your achievement is a testament to the power of arts education and its ability to shape the lives of our students. Sincerely, Jeremy Tucker Director of Arts Education www.wcpss.net Commendations
The purpose of the Green Level High School Band Program is to educate young people through music performance. Students are motivated through teamwork and performance objectives and evaluation to mature as a musician, as a student, and as a person. The curriculum is varied and cyclical in nature. The comprehensive program encompasses four years of high school study. Individual development of character, esteem, teamwork, and group accomplishment can be additional rewards of the program. The band program at Green Level High School consists of the Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band, Concert Band, Marching Band, two Winter Guards, Indoor Percussion, and Jazz Band. Around 200 students participate in these programs, performing for community concerts, regional and national competitions, school sports and arts events, local, regional and national competitions. Green Level High School band students have graduated to world class music programs nationwide, providing outstanding young musicians and citizens, many of whom pursue careers featuring part time and full time music performance. The Green Level High School Band is located in Cary, NC, and is under the direction of Mr. Brian Myers. Green Level Band
Mission Statement and Core Values Respect: Of oneself, of peers, of parents/chaperones, of teachers & staff, of our band, of our school, and of other organizations in and out of GLHS. Professionalism: Consistently representing yourselves as members of the GLHS Band with the highest degree of professionalism, sportsmanship, and integrity. Leadership: Members of the Green Level Band program will have opportunities to give back to the program through servant leadership. Excellence: By consistently giving their personal and collective best, members will continually raise the standards of excellence of each performer, maximizing the total potential of the group and achieving a sense of success regardless of the competitive result. “The shining trophies on our shelves can never win tomorrow's game.” -George Moriarty.
F l u t e Sudiksha Agnihotri ^* * Ashley Kim ^ * Rachel Lim * + Jemma Lowi * Abigail Park * + Meggie Wilson ^ * Bassoon Carolyn Purse ^ Frances Vaughan * Oboe Marta Striplin ^ * Clarinet Sydney Asermely * + Ananya Chatterjee ^ Chris Cui ^ * Katie Huang * + May Li * Larry Liu * + Joey Sun ^ * Bass Clarinet Kris Cedeno ^ Hannah Gilmore ^ * + Alto Sax Amogh Pai Collin Matvei Rey * Sujit Uppuluri ^ Vohn Zeegen Jacquez ^ * Tenor sax Darren Liu French Horn Geneva Joshua ^ * Calvin Narula Ari Young
Trumpet Alexa Crawford * Owen Forbes ^ * + Lucca Neto ^ Nick Novelli ^ Norman Qian Alex Yang ^ * Trombone Angela Hu ^ * + Lucas Jensen ^ * Danny Lawler ^ * Josh Thomas Euphonium Josh Lo * Tuba Connor Gamble ^ Theo Gooch ^ String Bass Bhavya Annapureddy Percussion Caroline Chen * Sree Devineni * Ewan Mackey Joshua Michael ^ * + Maheen Mustain * Ruhaan Shaik ^ ^ Senior * ECDBA All-District Band 2023 + NC All-State Band 2023
FLUTES BASSOON OBOE Meggie Wilson Rachel Lim Jemma Lowi Sudiksha Agnihotri Abigail Park Ashley Kim Carolyn Purse Frances Vaughan Marta Striplin
Kris Cedeno Hannah Gilmore BASS CLARINETS CLARINETS ALTO SAX TENOR SAX BARI SAX Ananya Chatterjee Larry Liu Sydney Asermely Joey Sun Chris Cui May Li Katie Huang Vohn Zeegen Jacquez Amogh Pai Collin Matvei Rey Sujit Uppuluri Darren Liu
TROMBONE FRENCH HORN Ari Young Geneva Joshua Calvin Narula Danny Lawler Josh Thomas Lucas Jensen Angela Hu
TRUMPET EUPHONIUM TROMBONE STRING BASS PERCUSSION Alex Yang Nick Novelli Owen Forbes Lucca Neto Norman Qian Alexa Crawford Josh Lo Connor Gamble Theo Gooch Bhavya Annapureddy Ruhaan Shaik Maheen Mustain Caroline Chen Ewan Mackey Joshua Michael Sree Devineni
Master Class Teachers Pauline Gray (flutes) Harry Hassell (clarinets) Dr. Mary Huntimer (saxophones) Josh Kraus and Jesse Rackley (brass) Lucas Vargas-Casera (percussion) Private Lessons Teachers Catherine LeGrand, flute Anne Dyke, flute Kelly Nivison, flute Haymee Ann, flute Melanie Wilsden, oboe Jessica Kunttu, bassoon Dave Brook, bassoon Mei Thai, clarinet Taylor Barlow, bass clarinet Scott Moore, clarinet/saxophone Anton Sun, saxophone Justin Berry, saxophone Kenzie McConnell, trumpet Michael Mole, trumpet Paul Randall, trumpet Dr. Perry, trumpet Lisa Burn, trumpet/trombone Christina Thompson, horn/trombone Rusty McKinney, trombone Jeremy Gurganious, percussion Nick Baglio, percussion Previous Schools/Band Directors Tony Powell, Mills Park Middle School/Pine Hollow Middle School Erik Riggs, Martin Middle School/Mills Park Middle School Bobby Hinson, Salem Middle School Chris Forgione, Davis Drive Middle School Matt Pellas, F.J. Carnage Magnet Middle School Juli Betts, West Cary Middle School Sue Ann Wright, Sterling Montessori Academy and Charter Tom Eifert, Aptakisic Junior High School Allison Rakickas, Meridian Middle School Mr. Hejka and Rachel Pedersen, Avondale Middle School Scott Rumery, Seoul American Middle School Thank You
Acknowledgements • NCMEA for allowing us to share our music today! • The East Central District Bandmasters Association and the North Carolina Bandmasters Association for their support of instrumental music. • WCPSS Administration for their support of the fine arts. • GLHS Administration: • Principal Karen Summers • Assistant Principals Justin Viens, Ashley Clark, David Guffey, Joe Marchiando, Ashley Peaks, Darren Williams, Eric Cooper • The GLHS Fine Arts Department for their support as the band prepared for this performance. • Student teacher for Band: Evan Caggia (graduating in December!) • Chorus: LeeAnn Faust • Theatre: Rebecca Craig • Dance: Katie Pope • Visual Art: Farrall Hilton, Trish Klenow, Slater Mapp • GLHS Custodians Daryl Tart and Marlon Perez. • Evan Caggia, our student teacher from Appalachian State University, who has been with us this semester. • My colleagues in the East Central District Bandmasters Association for their camaraderie and support. • Dr. Dominic Talanca (UNC-Wilmington), Dr. Bill Staub (East Carolina University), and Dr. Hunter Kopcynski (UNC-Charlotte) for their advice and support. • Music and Arts for their support of school music programs and for supplying us with music folders and nametags. • Kayden Jenkins-Deal and The Brass Band for servicing and repairing our instruments! • Cousin’s Concert Attire • The Green Level Band Boosters for supporting this organization in its many endeavors. • Dave Stroud and Sun Dogz Design for designing our band logo and spiritwear. • Most importantly, the students. Your hard work and dedication is our reward.
GL Band Sponsors 2023-24 Platinum Sponsors Bright Ideas Realty Grace Park Animal Hospital Gold Sponsors Bovenizer & Baker Orthodontics Bardi-Davis Construction GL Band Patrons 2023-24 Patron of the Arts Brian & Jennifer Lancaster Burr Family Cameron & Julie Bertolini Gao Family (Taipei Cafe) Glen & Rebecca Hammack James & Elizabeth Vaughan Janet Morgan Keith & Caroline Campbell Keyur Karbhari Matt & Ali Cornwell Parikh Family Pavan & Praveena Pemmaraju Purse Family Vinson Jenkins Patron Brian & Sarah Tucker Chris Bordman Hoimes Family Huiling Wang Jennifer Niu Michael Bradbury Tim Moore NCMEA Wind Ensemble Sponsors Fortissimo Level Music & Arts Forte Level Daniel Neto Vaughan Family Mezzo Level Amber & David Lowi Jeff & Ginger Lowi May Li ‘s family Jayne Riboldazzi The Brass Band Piano Level Lisa Crawford Roger & Carla Wilson Cousin’s Concert Attire Thank You
Thank You to last year’s Senior Class of 2023 The first class that had been with the GL Band since the begining. The foundation of the GL Band has been developed greatly under their leadership and guidance. Aidan Beamish (NC State University) Eli Bernier (Savannah College of Art and Design) Ashton Black (Ithaca College) Luke Buddendeck (UNC-Chapel Hill) Thomas Buddendeck (UNC-Chapel Hill) Reagan Burr (NC State University) Srikar Desemsetti (NC State University) Daniel Falcon Nacianceno (UNC-Chapel Hill) Rajkumar Fitzpatrick (Vanderbilt) Brody Funk (The Citadel) Aiden Gehrmann (NC State) Jason Georges (UNC-Chapel Hill) Francesca Gervase (NC State University) Elizabeth Grochocinski (Purdue University) Ethan Huang (Berklee College of Music) Aneesh Iddya (NC State University) Lorraine Inman (Michigan State University) Madison Keith (Work force) Karisma Khara (East Carolina University and Case Western Reserve University) Sakshi Krishnappa (UNC-Charlotte) Sudeep Kumareshan (NC State University) Homar Lopez-Muniz (UNC-Chapel Hill) Abby Lu (UNC-Chapel Hill) Liane Ma (Duke University) Evan Mackowsky (NC State University) Allie Mewshaw (UNC Wilmington) Lillian Middleton (NC State University) Megan Miller (Penn State University) Jonathan Moore (NC State University) Olivia Ocran (Howard University) Ben Perla (UNC-Charlotte) Sanjana Premnath (Siena College + Albany Medical College B.S./M.D. Program) Nivedita Ravishankar (UNC-Chapel Hill) Shresta Reddy (UNC-Charlotte) Anton Sun (UNC-Chapel Hill) Collin Ware (East Carolina University) Caeden White (Wake Tech) Raghav Yelamanchili (East Carolina University)
Green Level High School 7600 Roberts Road, Cary, North Carolina 27519 919-694-8222 https://www.wcpss.net/greenlevelhs