Hochstein’s Youth Wind Symphony features wind, percussion, and brass players in grades 9–12. The ensemble meets for six weeks in January and February to prepare music for this free concert. 

The featured work on the program is Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana. One of the most popular pieces of the classical music repertoire, it was based on poems found in a medieval Bavarian monastery and written for chorus and orchestra. Arranger John Krance (an Eastman alum) worked with Orff on this arrangement, which incorporates the vocal melodies into a setting for wind ensemble. The spirit of the original choral piece – which extols the beauty of life and springtime - is vividly portrayed in this exceptionally dramatic work.

The program also includes Prado - an energetic original composition by prominent composer/arranger Victor Lopez that features high adventure and resplendent percussion - and Lux Aurumque (Light and Gold), written in 2000 by Eric Whitacre. Originally a choral work (like Carmina Burana), Lux Aurumque was inspired by a poem by Edward Esch. Click here to read the full program notes.

This concert will be livestreamed, on Hochstein’s YouTube channel, for those not able to attend the concert in person. Click here.

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Hochstein programs are made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature.