Wondrous Love!

We are excited to share this performance with the Willoughby Fine Arts Association Wind Ensemble. The concert will be streamed on the CSU School of Music Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/ClevelandStateMusic.

Biographies

Biographies

The conductor of the Fine Arts Association Community Wind Ensemble, Tom Deep, is originally from New Castle, Pennsylvania. He is a graduate of Kent Roosevelt High School. He received his bachelor's degree in Music Education from Kent State University. His first teaching job was at Riverside High School where he taught for nine years. During that time he completed his Masters Degree in Music Education at Vandercook College of Music in Chicago, Illinois. He taught for 24 years as Director of Bands with the Shaker Heights City Schools. Tom has worked as a part-time graduate assistant in the Case Western Reserve University Ph.D. in Music Education program. Now retired, he is a frequent Guest Conductor and Clinician for school bands throughout Northeast Ohio, works with Kent State University as a supervisor of student teachers, and conducts The Fine Arts Association Community Wind Ensemble and TubaChristmas. His hobbies include composing, arranging, and golf. 

David Malinowski (Narrator) has been The Roger and Anne Clapp Chair of Performing Arts for the past 10 years. David grew up at Fine Arts, studying violin beginning at the age of 4 and then into theatre at 13. David studied Theatre and Philosophy at Ashland University and has been teaching/directing at Fine Arts for 19 years. FAA directing credits include: Jimmy Buffett’s Escape To Margaritaville, Young Frankenstein, Footloose, Cats, The Addams Family, Doctor Dolittle; The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (twice); Roald Dahl’s Willy Wonka (twice); Kiss Me, Kate; Alice in Wonderland; Disney’s The Little Mermaid Jr.; My Way: A Musical Tribute to Frank Sinatra; Xanadu; Honk!; Miracle on 34th Street The Musical; Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella; and Alice in Danceland (which he also created with his creative partner, Kyle Lorek.) Directing credits outside of The Fine Arts Association include: Almost, Maine; The Maltese Bodkin, Lonely Planet, and God of Carnage (Chagrin Valley Little Theatre), Of Mice and Men (Geauga Lyric Theatre Guild), Reverse Transcription, …Terminating, and Woo & Woe (Ashland University). He would like to thank you for your continued support of the performing arts and The Fine Arts Association.

Dr. Birch Browning is Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Cleveland State University (CSU) and Music Director of the Cleveland Winds, a professional wind band based at CSU. He taught high school band and orchestra in Florida prior to earning a Ph.D. in Music Education at Florida State University (FSU). Dr. Browning joined the faculty at CSU in 2002, and he previously taught music education courses at Stetson University and FSU. 

Along with his research work, Dr. Browning is in demand as a conductor and clinician. Dr. Browning founded the Cleveland Winds in 2009. The Cleveland Winds is the winner of The American Prize in the Band/Wind Ensemble Performance—community & school division and performed at the Ohio Music Education Association Professional Development Conference in Cleveland, Ohio in 2017 and again in 2025. The CSU Symphonic Band, CSU Chamber Winds, and the Cleveland Winds appear on the Timothy Reynish International Repertoire Series, Vols. 12, 13 and 14 recordings, which are available on iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, and other online sources.

Program Notes for Cleveland Winds

This afternoon’s program centers on music that reflects compassion, humanity, and the enduring power of music in various communities and settings. Although several of the works draw on tunes often associated with the Christmas season, this is not a traditional holiday concert. Instead, the program takes Wondrous Love—a hymn of awe, grace, and human connection—as its touchstone.

while millions join the theme, I will sing.

from Wondrous Love, verse 3

Each selection is built upon pre-existing melodies that have long carried meaning for their communities. Through these re-imaginings, the composers invite us to consider the ways music preserves shared memory, lifts the spirit, and brings people together.

The opening movement of Glorioso, titled Oratio, sets the tone for reflection and reverence. Built on a chaconne with arching lines and luminous harmonies, the movement unfolds like a prayer—quiet in its beginnings, gradually expanding to moments of rich and sometimes dissonant intensity. Ito uses the wind ensemble’s sonorous palette to create a sense of suspended time, allowing listeners to dwell in a space that feels both contemplative and hopeful. Subtle shifts in color and texture give the impression of a meditation that constantly breathes and renews itself.

Although the broader work explores themes of faith and devotion, Oratio stands on its own as a musical invocation. Its expressive pacing and expansive lyricism invite the listener inward, encouraging stillness and deep listening. In many ways, it offers an ideal beginning to a program grounded in compassion and collective meaning.

Japanese composer Yasuhide Ito (b. 1960) is internationally celebrated for his contributions to the wind ensemble repertoire. Trained as both a pianist and composer, Ito writes with a distinctive blend of lyricism, dramatic flair, and cultural awareness. His works, including Asuka, Festal Scenes, and Glorioso, are performed throughout the world and are known for their spiritual depth and vibrant orchestration. Ito has also served in academic and administrative leadership roles within Japan’s musical community, further shaping the next generation of wind conductors and composers.

Dwayne Milburn’s American Hymnsong Suite offers four musical reflections on beloved hymn tunes, each transformed through his characteristic clarity, rhythmic vitality, and expressive warmth. The opening Prelude on “Wondrous Love” treats the folk hymn with deep respect, weaving its stark, modal melody into gentle suspensions that highlight themes of awe, sacrifice, and grace. Ballad on “Balm in Gilead” follows with an intimate and soulful setting, evoking the hymn’s promise of healing and comfort. Its warm harmonies and tender solo lines create a sense of quiet resilience.

The suite then pivots to brightness and buoyancy: Scherzo on “Nettleton” (the tune of Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing) introduces spirited rhythms and playful exchanges that reimagine the familiar melody with exuberance. The final movement, March on “Wilson,” pays homage to the African American composer and educator John W. Work Jr., reframing his lesser-known hymn tune in the style of a traditional American march. Together, the four movements form a tapestry of reflection, celebration, and gratitude—an exploration of how hymns carry both personal and communal meaning.

Composer, conductor, and military musician Dwayne Milburn (b. 1963) brings a wide array of musical influences to his work, ranging from American folk and hymn traditions to classical forms and popular idioms. A graduate of UCLA, the Cleveland Institute of Music, and the University of California, Davis, Milburn has enjoyed a distinguished career with U.S. military bands and as a leader in music education. His compositions are admired for their craftsmanship, rhythmic vitality, and deep-rooted sense of community and cultural history.

Though frequently performed during the holiday season, Percy Grainger’s Sussex Mummers’ Christmas Carol is, at its core, a tender arrangement of a traditional English folk song recorded from the singing of Christmas mummers in Sussex. Grainger’s setting captures the simplicity and sincerity of the original tune, allowing its gentle rise and fall to speak without embellishment. Warm, pastoral textures and carefully shaped phrases give the music an air of humility and quiet affection.

Joseph Kreines’s wind-band arrangement preserves Grainger’s characteristic clarity while enriching the work with the ensemble’s broader palette. The result is a serene, heartfelt moment within the program—music that honors tradition while offering a space for reflection on themes of community, charity, and togetherness.

Australian-born composer and pianist Percy Grainger (1882–1961) devoted much of his life to collecting, preserving, and reimagining folk music. His art is defined by a unique blend of imagination, craftsmanship, and affection for vernacular traditions. Grainger’s wind band works—Lincolnshire Posy, Irish Tune from County Derry, and many others—remain foundational to the repertoire.American arranger, conductor, and educator Joseph Kreines (1931 - 2025) is widely respected for his sensitive and practical arrangements for wind band and brass ensembles. His settings of Grainger’s music, in particular, have become staples for ensembles seeking clarity, balance, and fidelity to the composer’s style.

Alfred Reed’s Russian Christmas Music is built on melodies and liturgical chants from the Russian Orthodox tradition, though it is not a celebratory work in the Western holiday sense. Composed in 1944, the piece projects a sense of solemnity and expansive spirituality. Reed employs modal harmonies, chant-like themes, and broad, arching phrases to evoke the sound world of sacred ritual. The music unfolds in long stretches—alternating between hushed reverence and powerful, full-ensemble climaxes—creating a soundscape of deep resonance and mystery.

The work’s emotional weight reflects Reed’s intention to capture both the ancient roots and the enduring spirit of the Russian musical tradition. The result is a profoundly expressive piece that invites listeners into a space of reflection and quiet awe—echoing the larger program’s themes of humanity, compassion, and collective hope.

American composer Alfred Reed (1921–2005) ranks among the most performed and influential writers for wind band. A prolific composer, conductor, and educator, Reed wrote more than 200 works, many of which—Armenian Dances, A Festival Prelude, El Camino Real—are pillars of the repertoire. His music is marked by its rich orchestrations, expressive breadth, and accessibility, making him a foundational voice in the development of the modern wind ensemble.

Julie Giroux’s Christmas and Sousa Forever is an affectionate and whimsical tribute to John Philip Sousa’s enduring march tradition. While its foundation is unmistakably The Stars and Stripes Forever, Giroux seamlessly interlaces a wide array of beloved Christmas carols and hymns, creating a humorous and celebratory collage. Melodies weave in and out of Sousa’s iconic strains—sometimes clearly stated, sometimes cleverly disguised—resulting in a piece that is as entertaining as it is musically inventive.

Rather than presenting a traditional holiday medley, Giroux plays with audience expectations, inviting listeners to hear familiar tunes in unexpected contexts. The work is lighthearted in spirit but also crafted with impressive skill, offering the ensemble a chance to display both finesse and good fun at the close of the program.

Emmy-winning composer Julie Giroux (b. 1961) has written extensively for film, television, and the concert stage. A leading voice in contemporary wind literature, her music ranges from deeply expressive works such as One Life Beautiful to virtuosic showpieces and imaginative concert finales. Giroux’s writing is known for its emotional sincerity, structural clarity, and ability to connect with performers and audiences alike.

We hope you enjoy the performances, and we thank you for being a part of our music community this afternoon.

Donors and Sponsors

The board, music director, and the performers of the Cleveland Winds extend our thanks to the organizations, families, and individuals who have joined us in our mission.

Impresario ($1000 and above)

Cuyahoga Arts and Culture

Soloists ($500 and up)

Royalton Music Service Scott Soeder

Principal Chair ($250 and up)

Roland 'RJ' Rovito Mark Souther

Section Players ($100 and up)

John Komperda Maryann Veyon Ohad Ziv

VIPs (Up to $99)

Erin Horan David Johnson Nada Montgomery

Leigh Palomeque June-Ann Seech

The Impresario. Like the conductor, these donors set vision for the entire season. Without them, we’re just a room full of people holding cold metal and wood or hitting things.

The Soloist. These donors stand out from the crowd. Like a guest soloist, their contribution is flashy, impressive, and elevates the performance to a professional standard.

Principal Chair. The "first chair" of donors. These donors ensure we start the season on the right note and help keep the standards high.

Section Player. These donors provide the reliable strength and leadership necessary to carry the melody and support the harmony.

The VIP. A wind ensemble is nothing without the roar of the crowd. These donors are the essential voices that help turn a collection of players into an ensemble.

Upcoming Performances in Spring 2026

The Cleveland Winds, in partnership with the CSU School of Music and the Cleveland Youth Winds Symphony, is excited to co-host a thrilling three-day festival showcasing the dynamic compositions of acclaimed composer Katahj Copley!

Friday, February 27, 2026: An Evening of Wind Ensemble Excellence

• The CSU Wind Ensemble hosts Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony Group 1 (Music Directors Darren Allen and Dan Crain).
• When: Friday, February 27, 2026, at 7 PM
• Where: Waetjen Auditorium, CSU

Saturday, February 28, 2026: Inaugural Chamber Music Recital

• Experience the intimacy and artistry of our first-ever Chamber Ensemble Recital, featuring performers from the Cleveland Winds, the CSU Wind Ensemble, and the Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony.
• When: Saturday, February 28, 2026, at 1 PM
• Where: Drinko Recital Hall, CSU

Sunday, March 1, 2026: Youth Wind Symphony Spotlight

• The Cleveland Winds hosts Cleveland Youth Wind Symphony Group 2 (Music Directors Michael Komperda and Mark Awad).
• When: Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 3 PM
• Where: Waetjen Auditorium, CSU

Grand Finale: Amerykahn Graffiti

The culmination of this series will feature a performance of Katahj Copley’s latest major work, Amerykahn Graffiti. This piece is a modern take on Modest Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, but instead of gallery paintings, Copley’s composition is inspired by the vibrant world of street art.

You can explore the inspiration behind this groundbreaking piece on Mr. Copley’s website: https://www.katahjcopleymusic.com/amerykahngraffiti.

Support Local Music

All our concerts are free and open to the public, thanks in part to the support of the residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts and Culture.

While admission is free, please consider making a tax-deductible donation to help us continue bringing world-class wind music to our community! Visit ClevelandWinds.org/support.

We can't wait to see you at a performance!