Defining Sound, Confronting Hierarchies: A Study of the American Wind Ensemble Community

• Other Authors: Storhoff Sutton, Kate (author)
• Format: Others
• Language: English; English
• Published: Florida State University
• Subjects: Music
• Online Access: http://purl.flvc.org/fsu/fd/2018_Sp_Sutton_fsu_0071E_14415

This dissertation explores the American wind ensemble community, specifically focusing on the relationships between composers and conductors. Using Kay Kaufman Shelemay’s definition of musical communities, the history of the wind ensemble is traced from its roots in the American band tradition, a community shaped by processes of descent; its founding in the 1950s through processes of dissent; and ending with today’s thriving community shaped primarily by processes of affinity. My study of the contemporary wind ensemble community draws upon interviews with community members as well as observations at the 2017 meeting of the College Band Directors National Association. Each chapter considers one of four themes that are important to wind ensemble insiders: American national heritage, sound palettes, hierarchies and canonicity, and gender, specifically the privileging of male participants over female ones. These elements also affect the relationships that form the backbone of a historically vital American music community. Today, composer-conductor relationships form the fundamental bonds of the wind ensemble community. Wind ensemble conductors value contemporary American composers and emphasize new music and repertoire growth; as a new generation of composers emerges, an increasing level of outside attention is given to the wind ensemble. Overall, the wind ensemble community represents a vibrant part of American musical culture: one that is worthy of further study and of attention from outsiders of the community. The composers and conductors interviewed for this project were welcoming and eager to talk about their work; their enthusiasm about the community of which they are a part emphasized the value and vitality of wind ensemble music. While American musical culture is changing rapidly, especially as the clout of the symphony orchestra declines, the band’s adaptability and resilience over the course of the nation’s history suggests that the tradition of wind music will continue to thrive if its community actively and enthusiastically changes with the times. === A Dissertation submitted to the College of Music in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. === Spring Semester 2018. === March 21, 2018. === CBDNA, Community, Wind band, Wind ensemble === Includes bibliographical references. === Denise Von Glahn, Professor Directing Dissertation; Leigh Edwards, University Representative; Charles Brewer, Committee Member; Michael Broyles, Committee Member; James Mathes, Committee Member.