Treat yourself to a musical experience courtesy of CNY Winds.
The musical ensemble will perform for free at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, at Paper Mill Island Amphitheatre in Baldwinsville. Performing Broadway and movie-themed compositions as well as patriotic and pop numbers, Andy Perry and Jim Tapia, will conduct the ensemble, and Donald Schuessler will be the guest vocalist.
“I am excited to have CNY Winds perform on Paper Mill Island. It’s a unique opportunity for the residents of Baldwinsville to experience an exceptional musical performance at no cost,” said Mayor Joseph Saraceni. “It’ll be a treat for all who attend.”
CNY Winds was formed 20 years ago by Central New York band directors, music teachers and other musical professionals.
“You don’t get a band made of music teachers who play at this caliber as a group,” said CNY Winds member Pete Sanborn, who helped organize the ensemble’s upcoming performance on Paper Mill Island. “People across the country are impressed with the quality of the music performed.”
Sanborn validated his assessment by adding that CNY Winds was invited to perform in the Midwest Convention, which is the largest music convention of its kind in the country geared toward musical education.
“We were the closing group at this convention,” Sanborn said.
CNY winds also premiered original pieces at the convention, an opportunity many ensembles take when performing at the event. Sanborn noted a composition written by Jerod Spears and titled “The Great, Awesome Go Cart Race.” Composed to get children interested in music, the piece features an exciting crash credenza midway through the piece.
“There is all this noise, chimes clashing, and as it all begins to settle, the last thing you hear is a hubcap rolling on the floor – clank. Then it starts again. It’s really a cute piece,” Sanborn said.
He then described another composition, “Asphalt Cocktail,” by John Mackey.
“It’s basically rush hour,” he said, noting it’s the talent that is able to tell these musical stories.
CNY Winds musicians come from all over Central New York including Onondaga, Oneida and Seneca counties. Depending on the type of music being played, CNY Winds performs with 40 to 50 members playing clarinets, trumpets, flutes, French horns, trombones, tubas, oboes, English horn, alpha clarinet, bass clarinet, string bass, piano and percussion instruments.
“Forty something people playing together for one sound, a wall of sound coming at you with nothing electronically amplified,” Sanborn said. “The level of professionalism is something you don’t have in most areas of the country. There is no weak section in this ensemble. Each member is constantly taking the time to brush up on their instrument.”
Overall, CNY Winds wants share the beauty of music.
“We’re trying to keep people interested in music,” Sanborn said.
Baldwinsville residents, members of CNY Winds
Dr. James Tapia, head of orchestral studies at Syracuse University
Andrew Perry, West Genesee HS Band Director
Norm Wanzer, former Durgee Junior HS Band Director
Lauri Raschella, Ray Middle School music teacher
Terry Gerber, first clarinet and a Baldwinsville elementary music teacher
Blair Campbell, alpha clarinet player
