Recent Performance History A Festival Prelude, Reed Undertow, Mackey Coat of Arms, Kenney Chorale and Shaker Dance, Zdechlik Shenandoah, Ticheli Totem Pole, Osterling Reckoning, Markowski Symphonic Dances No. 3- "Fiesta", Williams Military Escort, Bennett/ Fennell Overture to Candide, Bernstein Finale, Symphony No. 1, Kalinnikov Var. on a Korean Folk Song, Chance Of Sailors & Whales, McBeth Symphonic Dance No. 3, Williams Children's March, Grainger Arabesque, Hazo On the Mall, Edwin Franko Goldman Incantation and Dance, Chance Shepherd's Hey, Grainger Prelude, Siciliano and Rondo, Arnold Russian Christmas Music, Reed Incidental Suite, C.T. Smith Encore!, Goto Suite of Old American Dances, Bennett O Magnum Mysterium, Lauridsen Mekong, R.W. Smith Salvation Is Created, Chesnokov First Suite in Eb, Holst Mambo, Bernstein His Honor, Fillmore Night on Fire, Mackey Valdres, Hanssen Cajun Folk Songs, Ticheli The Seal Lullaby, Eric Whitacre New World Symphony, Dvorak Elements, Balmages |
The Avon Lake High School Symphonic Band is recognized as the premiere ensemble in the high school band program. Fifty to sixty students are accepted each year by audition. The Avon Lake Symphonic Band is a highly acclaimed ensemble that performs both new and classic literature for winds. The Avon Lake Symphonic Band was invited to perform at Severance Hall in Cleveland, January, 2011; Orchestra Hall in Chicago, March, 2013; Carnegie Hall in New York, April, 2016; and Orchestra Hall in Chicago, March, 2019.
The Avon Lake Symphonic Band performs a wide selection of significant wind symphony and wind ensemble literature. Recent repertoire has included the music of Vasily Kalinnikov, Percy Grainger, John Barnes Chance, Malcolm Arnold, W. Francis McBeth, and Leonard Bernstein. The ensemble has also performed the music of contemporary composers including Eric Whitacre, Frank Ticheli, John Mackey, Samuel Hazo, Robert W. Smith, Brian Balmages, and Randall Standridge Nearly half of the students in the Symphonic Band study privately and they all perform at the annual solo and ensemble contest. Numerous members of the ensemble perform with outside groups such as the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, and the OMEA All-State Ensembles. All of these experiences help the students to become well-rounded and mature performers with greater musical understanding and appreciation for quality music. |
The Avon Lake Symphonic Band performed at the OMEA Large Group Contest on March 10th, 2017 at Westlake HS and was awarded a superior rating in Class AA. The band performed His Honor by Henry Fillmore, Incantation and Dance by John Barnes Chance, and Arabesque by Sam Hazo. Congratulations, Band! |
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John Mackey's "Night on Fire" and "Foundry"
The Symphonic Band performed "Night on Fire", written by John Mackey, in the spring of 2015. The Concert Band performed his piece entitled "Foundry" in May, 2016, with artwork projected onto the back of the stage shell. Students enjoyed both pieces as well as other music composed by Mackey, who, by the way, is a native of Ohio. Mr. Eddleman met John Mackey at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago in December, 2014. MEKONG by Robert W. Smith
The picture is of Robert W. Smith, composer of Mekong, and Avon Lake Band Director David Eddleman, taken at The Midwest Clinic in Chicago. In the spring of 2012, the Avon Lake Symphonic Band performed Mekong, a powerful piece of music written by Smith about the Vietnam War. Eddleman discussed the piece two or three times with Smith over the course of the prep, discussing the use of a Vietnamese string instrument (played on synthesizer) and a hauntingly beautiful solo played on an Electronic Wind Instrument (EWI). There were also special effects and synthesized sounds needed to create the sound of waves lapping onto the shore and helicopter sounds created from drum heads. Eddleman said the band performed the piece three times, and each time receiving strong emotional reactions from the audiences...and a standing ovation! People were so moved by the piece that Eddleman still has students, parents, and community members asking if they will play it again! Interesting side note: Smith and Eddleman knew each other through their work in Drum Corps International, Eddleman as the Open Class Coordinator for DCI and Smith as the composer/arranger for DCI's Madison Scouts! "The Avon Lake Symphonic Band, under the direction of Director David Eddleman, exhibits extremely high standards of instrumental music performance. My work with these outstanding students as clinician and guest conductor at concerts over the years has been a very rewarding experience for me because of their talents, discipline, and eagerness to learn.
Our performance together in Severance Hall, Cleveland, Ohio, was especially a thrill for me because of their sensitive musical performance of “Salvation Is Created”. Mr. Eddleman has worked diligently and tirelessly to create an exemplary band program that serves as a model for us all. His work at Avon Lake reminds us that teaching music is a most noble and exciting profession. (February 20, 2012) Dr. John W. Knight is Professor of Conducting/Music Education at the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. |
SYMPHONIC BAND EARNS TOP HONORS
March 13, 2015 - The Avon Lake Symphonic Band came away from the OMEA District Band Contest at Elyria High School with a superior rating. The band will advance to the Class A State Finals on May 1st or 2nd. This year's contest repertoire included "On the Campus" by J.P. Sousa, "Variations on a Korean Folk Song" by John Barnes Chance, and "Night on Fire" by John Mackey. Congratulations to all of the members of this year's Symphonic Band! “It has been my pleasure to follow the musical excellence of the Avon Lake Symphonic Band since my arrival to Cleveland in 1988. Throughout the years, many of the finest musicians in The Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony have come from this outstanding program. This tradition of a strong music and band curriculum has continued under the able leadership of Mr. David Eddleman. Their performances, quality of repertoire, and enthusiasm for high level music making are what make the Symphonic Band an honor to work with and a joy to hear.” (February 2012)
Dr. Gary M. Ciepluch is Director of Bands/Director of Music Education at Case Western Reserve University, conductor of the University Circle Wind Ensemble, and founder/conductor of the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony. “Congratulations on an outstanding performance last night. The Symphonic Band played with a high degree of musicianship and technical facility. It was clear that you have some outstanding young musicians in your group. The concert was a testament to your students’ talent and hard work and your dedication as a musician and gifted teacher. The Avon Lake Symphonic Band serves as a wonderful ambassador for your school and community.” (March 2, 2011)
Howard Meeker is Professor of Music and Director of Instrumental Music at Cleveland State University. Ten Avon Lake Students Selected for Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony
Ten Avon Lake Band students were selected to perform in the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony for the 2014-15 school year. Pictured are: Anna Phillips, Braeden Loveless, EJ Wennerberg, Brennan Thomas, Nicole Ziemba, Ryan Jaeckin, Jordan Laird, Ashley Bradley, Sarah Mills, and Ilana Shapiro. CLEVELAND YOUTH WIND SYMPHONY MEMBERS FROM AVON LAKE
Nine Avon Lake band students were selected to perform with the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony in 2013-2014. The CYWS is based on the CWRU/CIM campus and performs in Severance Hall. Avon Lake students in the ensemble this year are: Kyle O'Malley, saxophone; Ashley Bradley, clarinet; Jordan Laird, trombone; Sarah Mills, flute; Mackenzie Miller, oboe; Tad VanNostran, trombone; EJ Wennerberg, saxophone; Ilana Shapiro, trumpet; and Adam Litzler, percussion (not main.phppictured). |
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