Colonia resident Brian Chesney to perform at major band conference in March

2014 Feb 20

Brian Chesney, Alto Saxophone player and member of the TCNJ Wind Ensemble, will be performing at the College Band Directors National Association Eastern Division Conference (CBDNA) in Boston, Massachusetts from March 6-8, 2014, at the New England Conservatory of Music.

The conference centers on the theme of "Crossing Over" and features many different styles of music performed in wind band repertoire; from jazz, world, and ethnic music, to techno, pop, and fusion. Over the course of three days, musicians, scholars, and educators will come together to partake in concerts, masterclasses, and lectures all related to the theme of crossover music. Performers and guest artists include jazz legend Marvin Stamm, former Boston Symphony Orchestra principal trumpeter Charlie Schleuter, and Pablo Aslan, bassist and Tango musician, who performs with Yo Yo Ma. The Wind Ensemble performance will focus on the many ways in which popular music genres have influenced the work of today's composers.

Brian Chesney and the TCNJ Wind Ensemble will be joined by their peers from Temple University, The Hartt School, Westchester University, The University of Massachusetts, and The New England Conservatory of Music. Each institution will be performing for multiple national collegiate wind ensemble conductors in addition to other performers. Aside from the conference, the Wind Ensemble will also be stopping at John P. Stevens High School in Edison, NJ, to perform and chat with prospective students about their interests in pursing music as a career.

"This is a monumental opportunity for The College of New Jersey Wind Ensemble", says Dr. Vickerman. "We are humbled and honored to perform at this regional event that is now garnering national interest. This ensemble will be sharing the stage with some of the best music schools on the east coast which says a lot about our students' commitment to artistry and professionalism. It is also thrilling to be able to perform this music that represents a small way in which we can connect to our 21st century audiences. I am proud of what the TCNJ Wind Ensemble has been able to accomplish in the short amount of time since I have been here and cannot wait to share their passion for music-making with everyone at the conference."

Dr. David Vickerman is the newly appointed Director of Bands at The College of New Jersey. Prior to his appointment at TCNJ, he was at Johns Hopkins University where he conducted the Wind Ensemble and directed the Pep Band. He has recently completed the work for the DMA in Wind Conducting program at The Peabody Institute where he assisted with the Peabody Wind Ensemble and beginning through advanced conducting courses. In addition to his duties at TCNJ, he serves as the Associate Conductor of Great Noise Ensemble, a contemporary music group in Washington D.C.

For more information on Vickerman or TCNJ Wind Ensemble, please visit www.tcnj.edu/music. For more information on the CBDNA conference, please visit http://necmusic.edu/cbdna-crossing-over.