Wind ensemble concert is a breeze

The crowd's chatter died down as the singular chaotic note rang throughout the auditorium.

The band quieted as the lights dimmed. Silence only broke once the conductor finally took the stage to a round of raucous applause and only then did the UCF wind ensemble begin its introductory fanfare.

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With an enticing combination of soothing gentility, pulse-pounding crescendos and whimsical melodies, the wind ensemble created an intricate outline for storytelling through music last Sunday night. Following a theme of "world adventures," the band performed several classical pieces, including Peter Graham's "The Red Machine" and Roger Cichy's "Divertimento for Winds and Percussion."

With only four weeks to prepare for the event, Dr. Scott Tobias, the associate director of bands and conductor of the performance, described the immense dedication all 50 performers displayed during rehearsals.

"They've been very welcoming, hard workers," Tobias said. "This is very early for a first concert; we've only been rehearsing for four weeks, which is really fast. Normally we're looking at six or seven weeks to get ready. They were fun to work with, with a great work ethic."

The event was not only the first concert of the year for the student performers, but also for Tobias, as well.

Relocating from North Carolina's Appalachian State University in July, Tobias began his first year at UCF with the wind ensemble concert, conducting classes and preparations for upcoming events for the wind ensemble, symphonic band and the concert band.

With a near full house at the Visual Arts Building auditorium, Tobias explained his hopes for a continued increase in audience turnout.

"We're just trying to promote the program more," Tobias said. "We're trying to make people aware that we exist. We have wonderful support at the university, but we want more people to come out to the concerts to know that this is something that's enjoyable to do on a Sunday evening and enjoy a concert."

Working alongside Tobias Sunday night, Director of Instrumental Ensembles Dr. Laszlo Marosi performed as the fanfare conductor at the beginning of the concert. A teacher of opera and chamber orchestras, conducting and instrumental performance, Marosi has been involved with both the wind ensemble and the orchestras at UCF for nine years.

Before his integration into the UCF music world, Marosi said he has been a student of music since he was 5 years old.

"I was just attracted to the piano, the sound, the music," Marosi said. "I organized my first chorus in kindergarten. It's a long-time marriage."

Marosi has contributed towards several events connected with the bands, such as the UCF Arena Kansas performance on Nov. 5 and the upcoming Beethoven concert at St. Luke's in Windermere.

As the director of instrumental ensembles, Marosi illuminated upon a hectic workload, filled with 14-hour workdays, direction of librarians and other faculty in regards to performances, paperwork galore and, most importantly, the three-hour rehearsals at least twice a week.

With a strong history in orchestras and music since his upbringing in Hungary, Marosi described his hopes that the audience, like himself, could connect to the music on a personal level.

"The program is very, very colorful," Marosi said. "Hopefully lots of different musical styles will attract everybody in the audience. You will find something in every piece that will talk to you, and in that case, you will love every bit. [I hope the audience will] have an exciting, ecstatic experience."

For freshman Briana Letourneau, an environmental engineering major, the concert was an opportunity to enjoy classical music, potentially get involved with the band and more importantly, relive her own band days.

"I just kind of miss it," Letourneau said. "I look forward to just hearing the music in general. I don't know how to put it into words, but to be appreciative of music is to be appreciative of all arts. I feel that's more needed in our society."

Sophomore Joel Scott, mathematics and physics dual major, attended for more personal reasons: the support of first bassoonist and girlfriend Kristen Lichtenthal.

"We both knew each other growing up, and we both were in band together," Scott said. "I know a few people who are on the ensemble, too, and I heard it was pretty good; they spend their time. I figured I might as well come out eventually."