‘Zephyrus’ Now Available on Spotify
February 5, 2021
Written by Public Relations & Communications Strategist Jill Wilson and Director of Marketing and Operations for the School of Music Chad Carder
Visionary faculty and a talented ensemble from Augustana University’s School of Music came together for an inspirational recording of “Zephyrus” by James David. The recording was released on Spotify and all major streaming platforms on Friday, February 5.
“Zephyrus” is the second full-scale recording of The Augustana Band, thanks to the capabilities of Augustana’s state of the art Studio 47. The recording, done in Augustana’s Lillehaug Instrument Room, was led by Dr. Christopher Unger, director of bands, and produced by Dr. Peter Folliard, dean of the School of Music. The band, comprised of students from all academic majors, is recognized as one of the finest concert organizations in the Midwest.
With crystal clear articulation and a rich display of musical colors, The Augustana Band achieves a wide-ranging set of moods throughout the recording. The performance is filled with energetic contrast that captures the imagination of the listener with swirling passagework, bold harmonic contrasts and a touch of jazz.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused performing arts organizations to find new and creative ways to share their creativity with the world. Physical distancing guidelines, reduced room capacities, air exchange rates and the increased production of bioaerosols associated with music-making have upended the standard methods through which ensembles rehearse and perform.
“Zephyrus” was perfect for 2020 in that I was looking for a piece in Dr. David’s catalogue that was engaging, colorful and able to be executed in the middle of a worldwide pandemic,” said Unger. “This project was an opportunity to challenge our students to create when others folded, to push thoughtfully and safely through adversity and to be excellent when the going gets tough.”
“Recording a piece of music during a pandemic is an experience unlike anything else,” said Erin Livingston ‘21. “It's a special opportunity that not many musicians our age have the opportunity to be a part of. These projects brought the music department and Augustana's community hope and happiness in a time they really needed it. I hope when this recording is released it brings listeners those same kinds of feelings.”
This piece will ultimately become part of an album of James David's music that the Augustana Band will record over the next two seasons. The ensemble’s next installment will take place in the spring semester of 2021, with another recording in the fall of a newly composed work for wind symphony that will be dedicated to the Augustana Band celebrating its 125thanniversary.
“We had a lot of fun with this project. As the School of Music continues to record professionally, there is a rhythm that the conductor, ensemble and producer establish that allows us to take more risks and be more creative,” said Folliard. “Recording sessions are the best way for an artist and/or ensemble to polish their skills, and then share those gifts with the world. The recordings we've made, and the recordings yet to come, create a legacy of excellence that we pursue at Augustana,” said Folliard.
“Zephyrus” is now available on Spotify, Apple Music/iTunes, Amazon Music and YouTube Music.
Program Notes by James David
“Zephyrus” is the god of the western wind in Greek mythology. Every spring in Colorado, the weather becomes notoriously unpredictable and ever-changing from the gloriously clear and warm days to sudden downpours of hail or even the occasional Memorial Day blizzard! This short piece for winds and percussion attempts to capture the fickle mood of the winds off the Rockies in springtime through quick spiraling motives in the upper winds and off-beat dances in the brass and percussion. The piece was commissioned by Dr. Rebecca Phillips (professor of conducting at Colorado State University) and premiered in July 2019 in Prague, Czech Republic.
For more information about the Augustana School of Music visit at augie.edu/music.