Hillsdale Wind Symphony

I have been having an amazing time in Addis. I never thought that I would be deserving or would have the opportunity that I have right now. However, don't think that I have not forgotten about where I come from. So I thought I might pay a special tribute to a group of people who have made quite an impact on my life. The Hillsdale Community Wind Symphony is under the direction of the infamous Robert Livingston. Since its inception 4-5 years ago, the symphony has taken many amazing musical journeys. The ensemble consists of a variety of age and experience, yet the musicality demonstrated by the group is exceptional. I may be on the biased side because I was a member for just under 3 years. It has been my honor to work with such a great group of individuals.


Unlike many professional and community ensembles like this one, the Hillsdale Wind Symphony creates this family-oriented performance and rehearsal setting. If you speak with some of the members they would mention that they go to the weekly rehearsals not just to prepare for a concert, but to therapeutically release their stresses from the week by sharing music with others in a musically fun way.

I do need to mention the picture below. This picture is of me conducting the Wind Symphony at our spring concert in May of 2006. That moment is something I will take with me for the rest of my days. I have had the opportunity to conduct the wind symphony on a number of occasions, but this is the one that is very near to my heart. Once I made my decision to leave my previous position as the director of bands at Reading high school, I did not want to leave without my students knowing how much I cared for them and how proud I was of them to overcome so much adversity to make great musical experiences. So I wrote an arrangement of a vocal piece entitled "Go 'Way from my Window" for wind band. That picture is me conducting the premiere of the piece I dedicated to the Reading High School Concert Band. One of my students was performing in the alto sax section that night. It was a pretty emotional experience for me. Now most of you know I handle my emotions fairly well. After I put down the baton I had to leave to go ball my eyes out.

The Hillsdale Community Wind Symphony made quite an impact on my life and many others. I feel blessed to be part of such a great organization with phenominal people in it. Not to mention the joy we bring to the community.

I think I can speak for everyone in the symphony and the community when I say, "Thanks for making a difference in our lives Bob!!!!"