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JAMES W. ROBINSONJAMES W. ROBINSONSECONDARY SCHOOLSECONDARY SCHOOLSymphonic BandSymphonic BandVirginia Music Educators AssociationProfessional Development ConferenceNovember 17, 2023 12:00 pmRichmond, VirginiaRichmond, Virginia

Congratulatory Letters

Congratulatory Letters

ProgramProgramJames W. Robinson Secondary Symphonic BandJames W. Robinson Secondary Symphonic BandFlying Jewels James M. DavidA Song For Peace Christina HussThe Witness Pixel Elizabeth RaumhitchBOT Alex TedrowBride of the Waves Herbert L. ClarkeStillwater Kelijah DuntonZeembah Michael BarryAndrew E. Loft, ConductorKatie Dever, ConductorTiffany Hitz, Conductor Ethan Bartley, Cornet SoloistMU1Robinson Trombone Choir 2022 Robinson CommissionGreg Freeman, Conductor

Flying JewelsJames M. David Murphy Music Press Anticipated Grade 6Flying Jewels is a symphonic poem for wind ensemble that attempts to capture thejoyous and hopeful spirit of a famous essay by the late author Brian Doyle. The titlerefers to how Europeans described hummingbirds when first encountering them inNorth America. Doyle’s essay muses on how intensely and passionately these tinybirds live their lives, with their hearts beating “ten times a second.” He alsoconsiders the blue whale’s giant heart, which beats as little as eight times a minuteand can be heard from miles away. Ultimately, the essay asserts the connection thatall people and creatures share: we all have one heart that carries us through life’sstruggles, victories, and simple pleasures. My composition deals with the themes ofDoyle’s essay by depicting the heart rhythms of different creatures through variousmetric/tempo modulations and relationships. First is the hummingbird, flittingabout with bright flourishes from woodwinds and metallic percussion atsuperhuman speeds. A reptile’s three-chambered heart is heard next with nods tothe triple-meter dances of the Caribbean. At the center of the work is the humanheart, which is a simple tune that slowly builds to a cadence at the heart rate of ablue whale: four giant chords that resound under the ocean depths. Finally, thework recapitulates each idea while gaining speed to combine all of the tempi in anexuberant and ecstatic finale. This work was commissioned by the United States AirForce Band, Col. Don Schofield, commander and conductor.A Song For PeaceChristina Huss Excelcia Publishing Grade 2Song for Peace is a stirring, uplifting original composition for young band designedto transport both performer and listener on a moving journey of peace. Frombeginning to end, this warm and expressive piece features various musical qualities,including beautiful melodies, tempo and key changes, solo passages, and a powerfulimpact that will be sure to stir both performers and audiences alike.Thoughtfully woven with the serene American Folk Song I’ve Got Peace Like A River,the composer notes that this moving ballad was a joy to write.Program NotesProgram NotesComposer & publisher names contain live links to their websites for more information.

The Witness PixelElizabeth Raum Cherry Classics Music Anticipated Grade 5The Witness Pixel is a new work by Canadian composer Eliabeth Raum, commissioned byGregory Freeman and the Robinson Trombone Choir with generous support from theRobinson Band & Orchestra Parent Organization. A prolific and award-winningcomposer, Elizabeth Raum has commissioned new works for a number of orchestras inCanada such as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, The Calgary Philharmonic, and the CBC toname a few. Her compositions include ballets, operas, chamber pieces, concerti, vocalworks, an oratorio, and orchestral works. The Witness Pixel is written for trombonesextet, and is inspired by a process used in the field of cosmology whereby specialtelescopes are used to try to detect the origins of the universe. Witness pixels relate to thecoordination of the layers of metal and ceramics within the high-powered telescopes.The composer links this process to the coordination of the different parts or layerswithin the trombone choir in bringing the music to life.Members of the Robinson Trombone Choir: Alex Alsina, Jack Bird, Santhony Chan,Austin Cotton, Jack Essig, Ethan Hubbard, Adam Irvine, Nate Musco, Alden Shapiro,Violet Taylor, Adam Wong, Josh ZieglerhitchBOTAlex Tedrow Murphy Music Press Grade 3hitchBOT, the late Canadian hitchhiking robot, was created by professors at McMasterUniversity and Ryerson University in 2013. hitchBOT was a study in “roboethics” (theethics of robot use) and set out to answer the essential question: “Can robots trusthumans?”The robot was released into the wild and traveled all over North America and Europe.Because hitchBOT couldn’t move on its own, it asked drivers to pick it up and transport itfrom location to location. hitchBOT eventually became a social media sensation with fansall over the world following its journey. In 2015 hitchBOT was brutally decapitated andvandalized during its attempt to hitchhike across the United States, thus ending the study.Sometimes bad things happen to good robots.Composer Alex Tedrow was inspired by hitchBOT’s tragic story to write this fun, quirky,dark techno-western influenced piece for band and electronics. The audio track isconstructed to sound somewhat robotic in nature while the ensemble has room to addexpressivity and human artistry to the mix, hinting at the underlying tension present bynature in the ethics of human interaction with technology.

hitchBOT (con’t)While hitchBOT was not limited to only Western United States, when imagining theidea of hitchhiking robots Tedrow shares that he couldn’t help but picture tworobots hanging out by a campfire in the desert – harmonicas in hand. For thisreason the piece has a bit of a country-western flavor hinting at music from some ofhis favorite classic films (too bad those films didn’t have robots).StillwaterKelijah Dunton Murphy Music Press Grade 4Kelijah Dunton was inspired to write this piece by the beauty of a small town,Stillwater Minnesota. This town has a big lake in its center, which can be seen out ofeveryone’s backyard. During the winter, the very top of the lake freezes and creates atranquil effect that cannot be seen, but can be heard. When stepping out into one’sbackyard, you see a frozen mass, stuck into place and completely unmovable, but ifyou listen closely, you can hear that the water underneath continues to flow.The composer poses, “Why is this important?”We as people forget sometimes that we are so much more deep and vast beneath ourhard surfaces. We work, we go to school, we take care of our families, we deal withthe struggles of the day-to-day routine militantly. But if we just take a moment tolisten within ourselves; we discover our passions, our longings, and our sense ofbelongings.Bride of the WavesHerbert L. Clarke arr. Diana Appler Solo Grade 6/Band Grade 3Herbert L. Clarke (1867-1945) was one of history’s finest comet players. He was aphenomenal soloist in John Philip Sousa’s band and went on to conduct his ownbands as well as compose many pieces. He is documented as the composer ofhundreds of pieces. Composed for cornet, The Bride of the Waves was composed in1900. It is a light, entertaining dance piece subtitled “Polka Brillante.” The piece hasa lyrical introduction which leads into a variety of light sections. A cadenza and quickcoda bring the piece to conclusion.

ZeembahMichael Barry Murphy Music Press Not GradedOf Zeembah, composer Michael Barry shares:Zeembah is the made-up word that came to my brain when I first finished the piece andwas trying to think of a name. I thought it just sounded “zeembah-ish”.The piece has heavy influence from a hodgepodge of sources including disco brass, NewOrleans rhythm section funk, Simpson-main-title Bari saxophone, and fond memories ofa piece I used to play in middle school marching band (but now can’t remember thename of).Composing it was kind of just an experiment in experimentation, a “Gonzo Journalism”method of composing; I spent no time conceptualizing it and just started writing till Iwas finished.

PiccoloHarper HamNoah NguyenFluteHarper HamNoah NguyenEmily PryorLucas TomascoOboeBetsy CottonLillian FoosGracie OchiengEvelyne YouEnglish HornBetsy CottonBassoonTomas DanielAlison PollockContrabassoonTomas DanielClarinetGrace BruggemanCaleb CollinsHelen HernandezJoseph JohnsonMatipa MaimboMatthew ReadTromboneJack BirdAustin CottonAlden ShapiroViolet TaylorJosh ZieglerBass TromboneViolet TaylorEuphoniumJack BirdSanthony ChanAustin CottonTubaAdam IrvineSteven WongPercussionMaddy FontenotJakeira JudkinsVince KimLiam LasmanisJohn LaunJon NickelAnthony SantucciIsaac SorensonPianoJakeira JudkinsJon NickelBass ClarinetElla DownerContrabass ClarinetRose LaFalceAlto SaxophoneSam GleasonKate HauserSophia Lunsford Sean WalterTenor SaxophoneYorsalem DanielSam GleasonBaritone SaxophoneSophia LunsfordZak MushahidFrench HornJack PattersonAliza SmallHenry SorensonSydney SumaJordan WoodTrumpetCaroline CotovskyRuku DayMiriam JesseJohn ReadPeter SheridanCecilia YoungerRobinson Secondary Symphonic BandRobinson Secondary Symphonic Band

Robinson Secondary Symphonic BandRobinson Secondary Symphonic Band

Andrew E. Loft serves as Director of High School Bands for theJames W. Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, Virginia where heconducts four concert bands and the award winning MarchingRams. Prior to his time at Robinson, Mr. Loft opened Colonial ForgeHigh School in 1999, where he served as Director of Bands foreleven years. He has also served as Director of Bands at AnnandaleHigh School in Annandale, Virginia, Wakefield High School inArlington, Virginia and Assistant Director at Miami Coral ParkSenior High School. Bands under Mr. Loft’s direction have consistently receivedaccolades, superior ratings and the distinction of Virginia HonorBand and the VMEA Blue Ribbon Award. His bands have alsoparticipated in the National Band Association Symphonic BandCamp, Virginia Governors' Inaugural Parades, the Jamestown 400thAnniversary, and have performed at the Kennedy Center. Mr. Lofthas presented performances and clinics at the VMEA MusicEducators Conference, Bands of America National Concert BandFestival and NAI Grand National Concert Band Festival. This year inaddition to performing at the Virginia Music Educators AssociationProfessional Development Conference, the James W. RobinsonSymphonic Band has been selected as a featured band for the 2024Music for All National Concert Band Festival. Katie Dever serves as the Associate Director of Bands at James W.Robinson Secondary School in Fairfax, VA. She works with both theMiddle School and High School programs in addition to theMarching Band. Katie attended The Pennsylvania State Universitywhere she earned undergraduate degrees in Music Education andMusic Performance. She was a member of the Penn State MarchingBlue Band and the figure skating team. She pursued her Master ofMusic degree in French Horn Performance at Temple University inPhiladelphia, PA. This year will be Katie’s fourth year teaching inFCPS and her third year at Robinson.DirectorsDirectors

Ethan Bartley, a Kansas City native, is a trumpet player andmember of the United States Navy Band. Ethan is also thesecond trumpet with the York Symphony Orchestra and amember of the DC-based Apex Brass Quintet. Prior to joiningthe Navy Band in 2018, Ethan was a freelance musician andeducator based in Indianapolis. During that time, he wasprincipal trumpet of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, secondtrumpet with the Terre Haute Symphony, and second trumpetof the Columbus (Indiana) Symphony. Ethan has alsoperformed with the Kansas City Symphony, AnnapolisSymphony, New World Symphony, and Richmond (Indiana)Symphony. Ethan has participated in summer festivals including the EutinerSommer Oper Festspiele (Eutin, Germany), Hot SpringsSummer Music Festival, and the Menlo Summer Brass Institute.He toured Europe with the University of Kansas’ Jazz EnsembleOne, performing at the Montreux Jazz Festival and the Nice JazzFestival. He was also a member of the Crossmen Drum andBugle Corps for four seasons, where he was a soloist and sectionleader for the 2011 and 2013 seasons. Ethan can be heard as aperformer on two albums with the United States Navy Band andthree Naxos albums with the University of Kansas WindEnsemble and Indiana University Philharmonic. Ethan earned his Bachelor of Music degree in Performance atthe University of Kansas and his Master of Music degree inPerformance at Indiana University. His teachers include SteveLeisring, John Rommel, Scott Moore, and David Bilger. Adevoted music educator, Ethan has worked with award-winningband programs across Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Indiana, andVirginia. He is currently active in the greater Washington D.C.area, clinicing band programs as well as teaching sectionals andmaintaining a busy private studio. GuestsGuests

Gregory Freeman earned a Bachelor of Music Education fromGeorge Mason University, a Master’s degree in tromboneperformance from Northwestern University, and plans to graduatewith a DMA from GMU in December. He has enjoyed a variedperforming career and has played for audiences all over theUnited States and abroad. He has performed with the FairfaxSymphony, American Festival Pops Orchestra, WashingtonSymphony, Capital Wind Symphony, Baltimore Choral ArtsSociety, and is a member of the Dominion Brass in NorthernVirginia. Gregory is the trombonist with the Monumental BrassQuintet based in Washington, DC, and has performed with theRodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass on both trombone andeuphonium throughout the United States and China. In 2022 heperformed as a substitute trombonist with the U.S. Air Force Bandon their concert tour of the Midwest. While a student at GeorgeMason University, Gregory performed with the Disney CollegiateAll-Star Band.Gregory is very active as a music educator. He teaches sectionalsand private lessons at a number of schools in Fairfax County, andhas also taught in Howard County, Maryland, at the Levine Schoolof Music in Washington, DC, and at the Mason Community ArtsAcademy. For 20 years Gregory has served as Director of theRobinson Secondary School Trombone Choir, and under hisdirection the group has appeared three times at the AmericanTrombone Workshop, and also participated in the TowsonUniversity Trombone Ensemble Workshop Day in 2014, as well asthe George Mason University Trombone Day in 2020 and 2021and Brass Day in 2022.GuestsGuests

Tiffany Hitz is Director of Middle School Bands at RobinsonSecondary School in Fairfax County, VA. She received her Bachelorof Music in Music Education from Virginia CommonwealthUniversity (VCU) and her Master of Music in Music Educationfrom Boston University. In addition to teaching in Fairfax County,VA since 2001, Mrs. Hitz maintains an active schedule as a clinician,guest conductor, and adjudicator throughout the United States.GuestsGuestsA member of the National Band Association (NBA), Mrs. Hitz was recently elected to theorganization’s Board of Directors as a Middle School Representative. Additionally, sheserves as the NBA Virginia State Chair and as the administrator for the Dr. William P.Foster Music Education Alliance “Award of Excellence.” Active as a member of the Virginia Music Educators Association, Mrs. Hitz serves as Chairof the Virginia Band and Orchestra Directors Association (VBODA) Adjudicator TrainingCommittee and is a member of the VBODA Selective Music List Committee. She is also amember of Women Band Directors International and has contributed to their officialjournal, Woman Conductor, as both an author and as the Elementary Editor.Mrs. Hitz is a 2023 recipient of the Bandworld Legion of Honor from the John PhilipSousa Foundation, an award given to only eight band directors across the countryannually. She was recognized by School Band and Orchestra Magazine as one of the FiftyDirectors Who Make a Difference in 2016 and was a 2013 nominee for the Grammy MusicEducator Award. She is an inducted member of Phi Beta Mu International BandmastersFraternity and American School Band Directors Association. She is particularly proud tohave received the 2018 Outstanding Music Education Alumni Award from her almamater, VCU School of the Arts. Mrs. Hitz is a contributing author in the book Women in Wind Band, slated for release inlate 2023. She is a National Board Certified Teacher and recently completed a tenure asSecondary Fine and Performing Arts Coach for the FCPS Teacher Induction Program,Great Beginnings: The Next Generation.Mrs. Hitz continues to teach privately and perform as a hornist and is a regular memberof the Fairfax Wind Symphony. She spends her summers teaching at music campsincluding UNCG’s Summer Music Camp, the University of Maine’s Summer Youth MusicCamp, and the Middle School Concert Band Camp at the Music for All SummerSymposium.

James W. Robinson Secondary School is one of three secondary schools in FairfaxCounty, the largest school system in Virginia serving 181,000 students in 199 schools& centers. Opened in 1971, Robinson serves 3400 students in grades 7-12 and islocated in Fairfax near George Mason University, serving the communities of Burke,Clifton, Fairfax, and Fairfax Station. 93% of students at Robinson leave high school with plans to attend two- or four-yearcolleges. Robinson is an International Baccalaureate World school, with more than80% of students participating in IB classes and 25% of each class choosing to pursuethe rigorous full International Baccalaureate Diploma, which requires service,research, and critical reflection in addition to extensive testing during junior andsenior year. Robinson’s student activities program supports a strong belief that astudent's academic success and social development are strengthened through activeinvolvement in school activities, and sponsors over 100 academic, arts, and athleticclubs, teams, and programs within its nine acre facility.Robinson has a long history of serving military families in our community. Inspiredby our namesake Sergeant James W. Robinson, the first Virginian to be awarded theMedal of Honor in the Vietnam Conflict, many thousands of military-connectedstudents and staff have called themselves a Robinson Ram over the last 50 years.Robinson is proud to be recognized as a Virginia Distinguished Purple Star Schoolfor Supporting Military-Connected Students. This honor recognizes the strong senseof hard work occurring for our military connected students and families, who makeup 15% of the student body. Dedicated groups and programs at Robinson such as thestudent-run Rambassadors create successful transitional support to our militaryconnected students and their families as they navigate many new experiences atRobinson.Through the core values of resilience, empathy, integrity, accountability, andinnovation, Robinson Secondary School is committed to building an environmentwhere academic, social, and ethical growth is expected and where students share inand accept the responsibility for their learning. Robinson’s mission is to create aculture of confidence in which all students are empowered with the academic, socialand ethical knowledge and skills to be well-rounded citizens ready for life beyondhigh school.About James W. Robinson Secondary SchoolAbout James W. Robinson Secondary School

Middle School BandsA "Sudler Silver Cup" band, the highest honor bestowed on middle school bands,the Robinson Middle School Symphonic Band consistently receives superiorratings at district festivals. The group has appeared at the Virginia MusicEducators Association Conference three times and has the distinction ofperforming twice at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic in Chicago, Illinois.The Middle School Band was very recently awarded the inaugural middle schoolWolf Trap Performing Arts Grant for Teachers funded by General Dynamics.They will perform at the Mid-Atlantic Concert Band Festival in Maryland inMarch of 2024.High School BandsAs one of the few bands in the United States to hold two Sudler Flags of Honor,the Robinson High School Symphonic Band consistently receives superior ratingsin Grade VI literature at district festivals and is a 34-year recipient of the VirginiaHonor Band award. Robinson is one of a very few bands in the VBODA “Hall ofFame” for this accomplishment. Robinson high school bands include fourconcert ensembles, the Marching Rams, and a robust chamber music program,featuring flute, double reed, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn, trombone, andpercussion choirs/ensembles.. They have performed at the Virginia MusicEducators Association (VMEA) Conference five times as well as at the ASBDAconvention and the Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic. In 2023,they were selected to perform at the 2024 National Concert Band Festival inIndianapolis for the third time.The Robinson Band ProgramThe Robinson Band Program

2023 GraduatesWe are indebted to our 2023 Symphonic Band seniors who were part of the VMEA submission recordings.Beau Baldassari, Liam Basye, Kelly d’Alelio, Amanda Draznin, Meriwether Jones, ElizabethLaFalce, Alexander Martin, Gianna Mo, Aidan Moskal, Nathan Nguyen, Emma Reed, JuliaReed, Jose Semidey-Torres, Ethan Simon, Raiden WestburgThe Administration of Robinson Secondary SchoolTracey Phillips, PrincipalWilliam Evers, Assistant PrincipalTravis Hess, Director of Student ServicesAndrew Jimmo, Director of Student ActiviitesMatt Cross, Assistant Director of Student ActivitiesRobinson Music Area Building Staff, led by Bridget Oduro FosuMrs. Ellen Terrill, Robinson Band Administrative AssistantRobinson Music FacultyAnne Rupert, High School Orchestra Francesca Fitzgerald, Middle School Orchestra Tiffany Hitz, Middle School Band Judy Einuis, Middle School Band(Retired)Mike Horanski, ChoirPhillip Vargas, Guitar Robinson Pyramid Elementary DirectorsKim Andrey, Oak View ES & Bonnie Brae ESSam Gurian, Bonnie Brae ESRandy Hamm, Laurel Ridge ES & Fairview ESKelly Stratil, White Oaks ESLaura Seifried, Terra Centre ES & Union Mill ESTamra Ferreira, FCPS Fine Arts CoordinatorKatrina D. Chaney, FCPS K-12 Music Education SpecialistThank you to everyone who helped make this event an extraordinaryexperience for our students, including:

Parents & families of band studentsBridget, Ian, and a hound named Charlie MacMr. & Mrs. Lowery LoftJeff and Vergil DeverKevin & Dawn Taylor & familyStan SchoonoverBrian ThomasRobinson Band Music Instructional StaffJaime Santucci, FluteChris Jewell, Double ReedsKristen Sheridan, Clarinet & Chamber MusicEd Fraedrich, SaxophoneLarry Oates, TrumpetEthan Bartley, Trumpet & Marching Band CoordinatorJames Nickel, HornGreg Freeman, Low BrassDan Heagney, Eric Plewinski & Dwight Fontenot, PercussionZoey Lamb & Connor Burke, Marching TechsRich Condit, photographerRobinson Band & Orchestra Parents OrganizationKristen Sheridan, PresidentLaura Montione, Vice PresidentSarah Bird & Solange Taylor, Volunteer CoordinatorsChristina Gleason & Tisha Walter, FundraisingTara Irvine, SecretaryDan Sheridan, Head TreasurerJessica Summer, Sheila Peña, Francie Andrews, Assistant TreasurersThank you to everyone who helped make this event an extraordinaryexperience for our students, including:

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