Knox Symphonic Wind Ensemble & Knox Big Band
Sydney, Australia
James Brice, Conductor
Tuesday December 11, 2012
7:00pm
Liberty Theater at Paradise Village
2700 East 4th Street
National City, CA 91950 (map)
Program
Symphonic Wind Ensemble:
Goff Richards – Hollywood
Greg Butcher – Music for a Jubilant Occasion
Alfred Reed – Twelfth Night
Robert W. Smith – Rising Dragons
Frank Ticheli – Vesuvius
Satoshi Yagisawa – Marimba Concerto (Abridged) – Dylan Sherman, marimba
Artie Shaw – Concerto For Clarinet – Jeremy Kindl, clarinet
and much more, including selections from the Big Band!
The Knox Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE) is a premiere large ensemble of the Knox Grammar School, Sydney, Australia. Comprising of 68 musicians the Knox SWE represents the talents, musicianship and dedication of Knox Grammar School’s extensive Knox Academy of Performing Arts (KAPA), Instrumental Music Programme. Made up of experienced wind, brass and percussion instrumentalists from Year 7-12, the Knox SWE is indeed proud to have been awarded the 2011 Australian National and the 2011 & 2012 NSW State Junior A Grade Champion Concert Band, following years of championship success.
Dedicated to providing ‘outstanding grounding in the performance wind orchestra repertoire’ the Knox SWE’s diverse repertoire selection includes Original Symphonic Band Major Works, Orchestral Classics, Sacred Music, Film Scores, contemporary and popular literature.
The Knox SWE performs at all important Knox Grammar School functions and incursions, feature concerts, leading Australian National Eisteddfods and tours, such as their upcoming 2012 USA Tour to New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, following the ensembles’ ‘2011 Australian National Adelaide ANZAC Tour’ in April 2011.
During 2008 the Knox SWE together with the Knox Symphony Orchestra (KSO) released a professional CD recording titled ‘Live at the Verbrugghen’, recorded in the Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music. In addition to this, SWE released yet another CD prior to their recent 2011 Australian National Championship tour as Australia’s champion Junior A Grade Band. Together with their most recent recording (released in May 2012), these three CD’s features many major works and lighter selections.
Developing, fostering and nurturing the talents of our younger Knox musicians within the Knox Symphonic Wind Ensemble, through quality musicianship and educated mentoring are the essential ingredients of the SWE’s success.
After commencing his musical studies on euphonium at the age of 11, James Brice graduated from the University of Melbourne, where he completed a Bachelor of Music Education. Majoring in Music Education, Instrumental Performance and Drama, James was fortunate to study ‘Conducting and Ensemble Direction’ with Lt. Colonel Barry Bignell.
After recording and producing his solo euphonium CD ‘Symphonic Variants for Euphonium’ in 1995, James moved to Sydney in 1996, to accept the Principal Euphonium/Trombone position with the R.A.A.F Air Command Band (1996-2007). Throughout his celebrated 11 year career, James performed extensively throughout Australia and overseas, with numerous Symphonic Wind Band/ Big Band/ Parade Band/ Brass Quintet/ Tuba Quartet and Solo Recital concerts, with highlights being ‘Tour De Force Concerts’ in Dili-Timor (2000), Sydney Olympics Closing Ceremony (2000), Gallipoli ANZAC Commemoration Services (2002) and two ‘Live to Air Broadcasts’ on ABC ‘Sunday Live’ (2003-2005).
With 20 years professional teaching, performing and conducting experience, James is a highly sought after conductor, educator and adjudicator, throughout Australia, who has been invited to adjudicate many State and National Eisteddfod’s throughout Australia in recent years.
James has recorded, conducted and produced several CD recordings of note, ‘ABC Live’ recordings, solo recitals for 2MBS FM, a solo euphonium CD ‘Symphonic Variants for Euphonium’ in 1995, Australian and International web based recordings for Manhattan Beach Music & Reed Music, four Knox Grammar School CD recordings featuring the Knox Symphony Orchestra & Symphonic Wind Ensemble, four Castle Hill RSL Youth Wind Orchestra (YWO) specialist recordings, and the 2008 international release of ‘Wild Nights’ featuring the North West Wind Ensemble (NWWE), generously assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.
James has been privileged to work with many Primary, Secondary and Tertiary students throughout Australia and overseas prior and during his appointment as Director of Instrumental Performance at Knox Grammar School in 2008. James is the ‘Conductor in Residence’ of the Orchestral and Wind Band Program, and is the Musical Director of the Knox Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE) and Knox Symphony Orchestra (KSO), both premiere ensembles at Knox and within Australia.
In addition to these achievements and appointments, James is also the Musical Director of the Castle Hill RSL Youth Wind Orchestra (YWO), the North West Wind Ensemble (NWWE) and Friday Night ‘Live’ Big Band, having accepted this position in 2005.
As Musical Director of these fine ensembles, James has led the Knox Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE), Knox Concert Band and Knox Yr. 7 Wind Band, YWO and NWWE, to a staggering 31 NSW State and Australian National Championship title performances since 2005.
This year, James was appointed the Musical Director of the 2012 NSW Band Association State Youth Concert Band, having just returned from the bands’ NSW Regional Tour. Fostering sound community values, together with exceptional musical experiences was paramount to the resounding success of this recent initiative.
James is delighted to bring the Knox Grammar School Symphonic Wind Ensemble (SWE) to the International arena on this 2012 USA Tour to New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and San Diego.
