SAI Friend of the Arts Robert Washburn continues
to be active as Dean Emeritus and Senior Fellow in
Music at the Crane School of Music at SUNY College
at Potsdam. In June, he went to Ghana, learning African
drumming and dance, with field trips to five rural
communities to join with the natives in celebrating
their music. He has completed his portion on the music
of Africa and Asia for a text to be published next
fall by Wadsworth Publications. ASCAP has notified
him of past performances in Japan, Norway, England,
and Canada.
Performances
In May 2001, the Jefferson College/Community Orchestra
played Caravelle Overture and Pageant Royale,
in Watertown, NY. Washburn led the U.S. WAF Band in
Tower Bridge, for the 50th Anniversary of Soldier's
and Airmen's Home, in Washington, DC.; at the WIMSA
Memorial, in Arlington (VA) Cemetery; and at Andrews
Air Force Base, MD, all in May 2001. At the Lancaster
(PA) Music Camp at Elizabethtown College, July 2001,
several instrumental works were performed under the
composer's direction. Heard with ensembles at the
New York State Institute for Orchestral Studies, August
2001 at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center, were
Sinfonietta for String Orchestra, Five Miniatures
for Five Brasses, and Suite for Woodwind Quintet.
In Warneton, Belgium, the Orchestre de Lys presented
Song of Krishna, December 2001.
Recordings
Suite for Woodwind Quintet; Buffalo Philharmonic
Woodwind Quintet.
