don peterson

BYU’s Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony Will Hold Their Final Performances in the de Jong Concert Hall on October 26 and 27

Centennial Middle School band director Peter Werner reached out to his former professor Don Peterson after the cancellation of the State Junior High Band Festival

On what seemed like a normal day in the 1990s, Jim Barnes’ infant daughter passed away. This father experienced, as all would, terrible grief, followed by resentment and frustration. As peace began to return to his life, Barnes cathartically created what has been lovingly called “The Tragic,” a four-movement symphony that details his emotions while accepting the death of his daughter and eventually the joy of welcoming a newborn son into his family. On April 10, the BYU Wind Symphony will take its audience through this emotional venture. Under the tutelage of Donald Peterson, Director of the Wind Symphony, these students will connect with the audience in a more emotional way than many expect from band music. “It’s a pretty poignant musical journey. One thing that’s appealed to the students is that we’ve all been depressed or had dark times before,” Peterson said. “But I think most of them would say this music is a gift and provides a way to help feel emotions even stronger.” Peterson said the students are prepared for this advanced composition. “The piece was written for the Air Force Band in Washington D.C., so it’s written for professionals,” Peterson said. “But our band members are ready for it. It’s not only enriching their personal lives, but their music education as well.” The Wind Symphony rehearses twice per week, and normally prepares for music typical of concert band, like military marches and other shorter arrangements. Catelyn Gentry, a member of the Wind Symphony for four years, said that the preparation for this special piece has been invigorating. “The first thing that makes it really difficult is it’s almost 40-minutes long, and each of the four movements is so intensely focused on different emotions,” Gentry said. “So whatever you put into one movement isn’t what you’ll put into the next. It’s emotionally draining.” McKay Heaton, Wind Symphony Band President, noted that preparing to play Barnes’ “Tragic” Symphony is proving to have a long-term affect on the band. “Learning about what the composer thought for each movement and realizing how significant it was to him is amazing,” Heaton said. “And then trying to connect with the piece emotionally on that level has brought us closer together as a band.” Heaton said he and other members of the band are excited to share this beautiful work with their audience. “With each of the movements in this piece, there is quite a bit of meaning,” Heaton said. “I hope that we can help the audience feel that.” Tickets for the Wind Symphony’s upcoming concert are available at arts.byu.edu.