By: Jeremy D. Wells
Carter County TimesTwo East Carter High School alums recently participated in the unveiling of a brand new piece of music – Frank Ticheli’s “Over the Moon” – as part of the Kentucky Intercollegiate Band.
Raider Band Alumni Gabe Porter and Allyson Robinson performed with the band at the annual Kentucky Music Educators’ Association (KMEA) conference in Louisville, East Carter band instructor Logan Skidmore explained. The group of music students were under the direction of Colonel Michael Colburn, former conductor of the President’s Own Marine Band.
Robinson said the experience was very moving for her.
“For me, performing a world premiere under one of the best conductors in the country was not only an enriching experience, but also a humbling one,” she said of the opportunity to work with Colburn.
“Frank Ticheli has been one of my favorite modern wind composers, and it was amazing getting to be amongst the first people to see, listen to, and perform his newest work for symphonic winds and percussion,” she continued.
Porter, who served as first chair for the group’s horn section, was also excited to be part of the premier.
“Frank Ticheli is eminent among band composers and getting to premiere a piece he wrote specifically for the ensemble was an incredible experience,” he said.
Doing so under Colburn’s direction, he said, made it even more memorable.
“Having the opportunity to work with Colonel Michael Colburn is not something I take lightly,” Porter said. “I learned so much in those two days, about being a good musician and a good person to the musicians around me. Colburn’s example is something I will take with me into the rest of my career.”
In addition to works by Ticheli, the group performed pieces from Bach, Sousa, and Giroux.
Contact the writer at editor@cartercountytimes.com