It’s good to be
first. Members of the Graduate Woodwind Quintet, known as 3-2-1 Winds,
were beyond excited about their spring 2021 graduation as the first
cohort of the University of Delaware’s School of Music Graduate Chamber
Ensemble Assistantships.
The 2019 creation of a woodwind quintet as UD's first generously
funded, two-year master's level graduate chamber ensemble was just the
first step in the School of Music’s plan to distinguish itself with a
first-class chamber music program during the same year it was
newly designated as the UD School of Music.
The second step in the plan was the 2020 creation of the Graduate
Brass Quartet, and the most recent step was the 2021 Graduate String
Quartet. Each student in the program will earn a master of music degree
in performance and be supported by a very competitive stipend. During
their time at UD, they will be focusing on chamber music, which is
the term used for a small number of musicians playing together in
various combinations.
Elevating student success
Larry Stomberg, professor of cello and associate director of
performance studies, has experience as a sought-after performer of
chamber music and he helped drive the School of Music’s plans.
“Chamber music is a field of musical work that is coveted for many
musicians, combining the individual musical personality and virtuosity
of solo playing with the collaborative spirit and shared experience of
ensemble playing,” he said.
Why chamber music now? Stomberg explained the impetus: “With a
professional outlook for performing musicians that is increasingly
difficult for orchestral performance and solo playing, the flexibility
of small chamber music is an exciting and viable musical path. The
teamwork, leadership, verbal/non-verbal communication and
entrepreneurialism skills gained in chamber music study sets up our
students for success in a variety of pursuits, in and out of music.”
For all these reasons, Maria Purciello, associate professor and
director of graduate studies, said the decision was made to develop
graduate offerings that allow students to study and perform chamber
music at a high level, becoming the next natural step in the development
of the School of Music.
In their two years at UD, the 3-2-1 Winds came together to choose a
name, choose repertoire to rehearse and perform and learn to run their
ensemble as a small business by identifying and approaching venues,
producing live and recorded concerts and marketing their performances.
“The program turned out to be something none of us anticipated,”
members of the Winds said in a group statement. “We ended up really
focusing on developing ourselves as a group, and we have been able to
create an identity that we can promote and continue to develop after
graduation.”
A highlight of their work together was an innovative recording that
unexpectedly led to their being commissioned to record other pieces. In
the fall of 2021, the cycle begins again with a new Graduate Woodwind
Ensemble — this time, a piano, flute and clarinet trio.
