Orono High School’s Wind Ensemble was recently named a finalist for The American Prize. Those that have heard the band play, whether at Orono’s graduation, at one of its in-year concerts, or abroad in France, may not be surprised. Orono bands have a long and prestigious legacy– something director Tim Arnold says he is grateful to continue.
To Arnold, this recognition is a testament to all of Orono Bands. Especially before they make it to the Wind Ensemble in the first place.
“I think it’s pretty amazing (being nominated for this award), and it shows just what we have at Orono. We’re well supported by our school district, we have great music teachers, I have great colleagues,” he said in an interview with the Laker Pioneer.
“I feel like it’s not just on me, my colleagues John (Twernbold) and Andrea (Arnold) and Jennifer (Runck) are definitely a part of this as well.”
Arnold credits his fellow instructors for injecting passion into the students he then gets to work with.
The award, officially for the Band/Wind Ensemble Performance-High School division of The American Prize, recognizes and rewards bands for their quality of work based on submitted recordings.
Arnold had a host of choices to send in. From the large selection of local performances and contests to the recordings from trips to Carnegie Hall and France, Orono displayed a variety of pieces and people.
One such submission was Come Sunday, which the band performed this year. A gospel-inspired piece by Omar Thomas, the band played two separate parts, each with a different purpose and feel. The first part, Testimony, is soloistic and follows an organ. The second, Shout!, is virtuosic and busy.
Arnold says his students practice hard and play with passion every day, so he can choose almost any song for them to play knowing they’ll be up for the challenge. This makes the end-of-year symphony, Arnold’s favorite type of piece to play, even more fun.
This year, he chose A Ghost Story by Randall Stanbridge. Comprised of four parts, or movements as they are called, the songs follow people becoming ghosts and the ensuing emotions they feel that come with it. As always, the band bought in wishing to pull off something amazing. Arnold notices their dedication.
“It’s just incredible to get to work with people like that every day and try to make beautiful art together,” he said.
While The American Prize would be awarded to Orono in 2024, Arnold’s submissions include students from years past. The day Arnold told his current students about their finalist status, he invited past graduates back to play a few songs.
Some graduates perform gigs in Minneapolis, one has moved to England to play in orchestras, and others continue to play in college. Wherever Arnold’s students go, he hopes he’s inspired them to keep playing the music they love.
“I like them to be able to sit down in any group they’re in, whether it’s another band or a collegiate ensemble, or even just like a rock band or messing around with some friends, give them the skills that they can continue to make music in a way that’s meaningful to them,” he said.
Many graduates won’t have more experiences like they do at Orono again. It’s important to Arnold that playing in Orono is memorable.
“I like to give them the experience– there’s really nothing like playing in a large ensemble. It’s close knit, traveling together, playing in amazing places– they don’t have another opportunity to do that,” he explained.
Winners for The American Prize will slowly be announced throughout the rest of the summer and the fall. Orono Wind Ensemble’s next concert is slated to be in October.
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