Two ensembles shine

The Saddleback College Wind Ensemble and Irvine Valley College Wind Symphony performed a joint concert on Saturday composing of up sassy tangos and victorious marches.

“I’m ecstatic at our performance. All in all every did their part,” said Billy Campbell, 21, music.

Campbell is among one of the eight students chosen to perform at the 2010 College Band Directors National Association Intercollegiate Band at the Western and Nothwestern Divisions Regional Conferences at University of Nevada, Reno in March.

Opening up the show with humor, Conductor Carmen Dominguez said jokingly, “there’s only one thing wrong here, it’s not at Saddleback College.” The crowd laughed as Dominguez continued, “It’s a beautiful theater with great acoustics, exactly how it should sound.”

For the past three years, the IVC music hall was not finished, ensembles had to play someplace else.

The Saddleback College Wind Ensembles played pieces such as the uplifting Wind Spirits, passionate Vientos Y Tangos and glorious dedication of Give Us This Day vibrated throughout the auditorium with the percussion and wind instruments. 

Each song was long filled with complex detailed measures and scales to produce a terrific sound lyrical sound.  

To wrap up their portion of the show, the Army of the Nile march was played.

“I just love marches-they make me so happy.” Dominguez said as she conducted the final piece, which was supposed to be a Tubas players dream march.

After the applause, Dominguez went backstage to address the ensemble.

“You all played really damn fine.  You played beautifully for a wonderful concert! You should feel good about yourselves. You pulled back when we slipped and played wonderfully! Be proud of yourselves!” Dominguez said.