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Comments, letters, e-mail about the band's Midwest performances

The band's performances at the 1997 Midwest International Band and Orchestra Clinic elicited a number of responses from attendees. You may scroll down to read them (in roughly the order they were received), or click on the links below to go directly to one that might interest you. NB - Most of these were addressed to ASB Music Director Richard Floyd and his wife, Cheryl, both of whom conducted the band in Chicago.

New! Listen to some of the band's Chicago performance

"Happy New Year to you! I am just sending you this short message to thank you once more for the superb presentation of Continental Overture at your Midwest performance with the Austin Symphonic Band. I really liked it a lot, the spirit was there, tempos were just right and it had all the right transparency, which I often miss with other bands. Bravo, and congratulations to your musicians."

  • Johan de Meij, composer of Continental Overture and many other fine works for concert band

    "That's the best I've heard it played! That's the best I've heard it played!"

  • de Meij, while coming to the front to take a bow for his composition.

    "I want to to thank you and your band members for accompanying me in this year's Midnight Special. It was such a great pleasure meeting your musicians, that I wish I had set aside more time to be with them. I know that your participation in the lecture took away some of your valuable rehearsal time, but, since you played so beautifully at the finale concert, I don't feel any guilt about this! Such great playing combined with such fun! Please extend my congratulations to your musicians, and my best wishes ... "

  • Frank Ticheli, who led the band in this year's Midnight Special featuring many of his works. The band also performed his Cajun Folk Songs II at the finale concert. Professor Ticheli is Composer in Residence of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra as well as Associate Professor of Music at the University of Southern California.

    "Ladies and Gentlemen of the Austin Symphonic Band:

    I write to convey a Texas-size thank you [!] for your excellent performance of my work honoring my mentor, the late John P. Paynter at the 1997 Mid-west Clinic in Chicago.

    I know Mr. Paynter would have loved not only your very musical playing in "Whatsoever Things..." but also the very high performance standards you displayed through the entire (very demanding!) concert. Bravo and well done to all band members! You certainly represented the Lone Star State and the community band movement with great distinction.

    In addition to the musical respect I have developed for your ensemble, it was also very enjoyable to have the opportunity to get a bit acquainted with a good number of you on a personal basis.

    As I mentioned during your final rehearsal, you are all most fortunate to have Dick Floyd as your conductor. Clearly, he is a man who possesses the very finest qualities of our profession: musical and personal integrity (not so easy to find these days it seems) as well as his distinguished reputation as a gifted educator and administrator. Bravo, Dick (and Cheryl too)!

    Thank you all for your very kind comments about my music and for your wonderful performance at Mid-West. I hope our paths will cross again in the future. Very best wishes for the New Year and for continued success and achievement with your outstanding organization."

  • Mark Camphouse, Director of Bands at Radford University, and composer of such works for wind band as A Movement for Rosa and Whatsoever Things....

    "I want to tell you both how much I enjoyed your band and also to tell you how impressed I am with your work. Thank you for playing my tune."

  • James Barnes, Director of Bands at the University of Kansas and composer of All Pleasant Things... which the band performed in Chicago.

    "The Saturday concert to close Midwest '97 was outstanding and provided just the right touch to close out a glorious week on a high note! I'll bet it was just a little fun on stage also! On behalf of the Board, thank you and the band for all of the work, effort, and expense that went into preparing for the trip to Chicago to present this wonderful concert."

  • Richard Crain, member of the Board of Directors of the Midwest Clinic

    "I was very pleased to hear the band at Midwest. There must have been about 5,000 people in that room and it was nice [to] hear what turned out to be one of the outstanding performances of the clinic [...] The band truly deserves the terrific reputation it enjoys. Please keep me on your mailing (email) list. Congratulations to all!"

  • Chris Wilhjelm, Director, Ridgewood NJ Concert Band (a recent recipient of the Sudler Silver Scroll)

    "The band was great at MidWest - wow!"

  • Tim Lautsenheizer - musical educator, motivator, and clinician

    "Thank you very much for your kind words regarding our work together in 1997. The feelings I had in both times working with you and the ASB were unparalleled in '97. I enjoyed everything we did musically and personally! It was a real treat for me!!

    [...] Please give my best to the members of the ASB and thank them for a delightful time! What a treat to stand in front of that kind of musical representation!"

  • Patrick Sheridan, tuba soloist, who performed with the ASB at Midwest and at a concert in Austin earlier in the year. His CD "Lollipops" is just out, and he will be working on another one in May '98.

    "I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed the concert of your Austin Symphonic Band at the recent Mid-West Clinic. The selection of literature was excellent, and I was amazed at the level of which your 'adult band' plays. It was a most enjoyable performance in all ways. The tuba soloist was also a delight -- indeed, a very fine musician."

  • Timothy Rhea, Conductor, University Symphonic Winds, Texas A&M University

    "I just wanted to take a few moments to congratulate you on a superb performance on your concert. I can definitely state that it was the musical highlight of the conference. Except for that vagabond who wandered onto the stage and started to make announcements about the Chicagoland civic calendar. [a reference in jest to Patrick Sheridan's initial appearance on stage, where he detailed fictional music events going on in Chicago] [...]

    Once again, congratulations on your performance. I know that you will enjoy listening to the recording as much as I enjoyed recording it."

  • Mark J. Morette, Owner, Mark Custom Recording Service, Inc.

    "I must tell you how much we enjoyed and appreciated having the Austin Community Band [sic] appear on the 51st Midwest! You folks are simply outstanding in every possible way! Not only do we appreciate the friendship of the Floyds, but your continuing contribution to music, bands, and life for us all is terrific...

    Thanks again for the Austin concert and please relay my sincere congratulations to your band."

  • Mark Kelly, Board Member, The Midwest Clinic

    "Dear Members of the Austin Symphonic Band,

    Now that things are calmed down a bit after the Holidays and your trip and performance at the Mid-West in Chicago, I wanted to add my congratulations to those I am sure you have received following your superb performance in Chicago. As a huge fan of your group, it was a real pleasure to enjoy your concert, and share your music making with such a large and enthusiastic crowd.

    Having had the great privilege of conducting the group in the past [at the 1993 ABA Conference], I know the responsiveness, and wonderful musicianship of the ensemble. To see the group continue to grow and set new standards and expectations for itself is a great pleasure. Your success is obviously due to a combination of factors - Richard Floyd, a great friend and musical colleague; your own individual musicianship; the dedication to the best in literature; the work ethic that turns "potential" to reality. The list goes on and on.

    My sincere congratulations and admiration for a job done far beyond 'well done.' I look forward to seeing and hearing your work again and again in the future. I only wish that I live close enough to audition myself. I'd love to play in this band!"

  • Don Wilcox, Director of Bands, West Virginia University

    "As the director of the Maumee Community Band (OH) I just wanted to complement you on what a fantastic concert you performed at Midwest this past December. Your band plays with great sensitivity and emotion. Thanks for a wonderful concert."

  • Rich Dubler, Director, Maumee, Ohio Community Band

    "I attended the Midwest Clinic-convention for the first time ever. The Texas bands represented our state extremely well, especially the concert given by the Austin Symphonic Band under the direction of Richard Floyd. [It was] one of the most musical performances I've ever heard. [I'm] looking forward to receiving my CD of the performance."

  • Sam Knepley, Regional Sales Rep, Fruehauf Uniforms, in a letter he sent to his clients

    "..I mean it when I say I feel privileged to have worked with such a respected and classy ensemble as the Austin Symphonic Band.

    And thank you one final time for providing a fitting conclusion to what was an extraordinary year. In the past, we have placed international organizations in this spot, but I personally would like to see an American band performing the finale concert every year. I only hope that the 1998 performers will be as courteous and professional as the 1997!"

  • Kelly Jocius, Executive Administrator, The Midwest Clinic

    "Congratulations to you and the members of the Austin Symphonic Band on your outstanding performance at the Midwest Clinic. The band played beautifully and the programming was excellent. Thank you for the extra effort and family sacrifices I know it took to make this trip become a reality. I hope you all realize just how much the audience enjoyed your performance. The wonderful musicianship displayed throughout the ensemble was thrilling to experience.

    Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of your program. I enjoyed working with the band and being able to do the piece written for Barbara [All Pleasant Things ...].

    Best wishes for continued success with this wonderful community band. I look forward to hearing this fine group in the near future. Have a great spring and continue your focus on excellence."

  • Ray Cramer, President, The Midwest Clinic; Director of Bands, Indiana University

    "Congratulations to you and the Austin Symphonic Band on your superb performance at Mid-West. The expressive, sensitive style of the ensemble was completed by their fine technique and enthusiasm. What a fantastic group of excellent musicians who obviously are wonderful human beings! The Camphouse [Whatsoever Things...] was particularly musical and meaningful.

    My applause continues!"

  • Paula K. Holcomb, Director of Bands, Central College [Iowa]

    "Dear Mr. Richard Floyd and the Austin Symphonic Band Members,

    I just received my copy of the CD of your performance at the recent Mid-West Clinic. Your reading of my piece "Cradlesong" was nothing short of magnificent. I'm not exaggerating when I say that yours was the finest performance of my piece that I've heard. I'm only sorry that I wasn't there to hear it in person. In fact, I didn't even know that "Cradlesong" was being performed at all until the night before when a friend called me from Chicago and told me. I was unable to attend Mid-West because of school commitments here in Richmond and was very disappointed to have missed it. But I want to send along a huge "Thank You" to Mr. Floyd and all of the fine musicians of the Austin Symphonic Band. I'm flattered that you chose to perform "Cradlesong" and appreciative of the sensitive reading that you and Mr. Kirchhoff gave it. Best wishes to you all in the future."

  • Stephen Barton, Composer of Cradlesong and music educator
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