By: Anaya Miller
On Wednesday, March 25, the Wind Symphony headed to central Florida for its Winter semester tour. While in the Sunshine State, the ensemble performed under the direction of Ken Parsons, an associate professor in the School of Music, who is retiring at the end of this school year.
To celebrate his 42 years of teaching, Parsons chose central Florida as the destination for his last tour, since most of his early teaching took place there.
The Wind Symphony performed at Walker Memorial Academy in Avon Park, Forest Lake Academy in Apopka and Spring Meadows Seventh-day Adventist Church in Sanford.
“It was special to return there,” Parsons stated, “to revisit significant places and reconnect with old friends and former students.”
Concert tours give members of the Wind Symphony time to bond while also representing Southern and the School of Music to potential university students.
At a church in Sanford, students also had the opportunity to “provide a meaningful spiritual experience through music during the Sabbath worship service,” Parsons stated.
In an email to the Accent, Parsons said that the Wind Symphony was “at the top of their game musically.” He also enjoyed the presence of Southern alumni who were able to perform with the ensemble.
“Everyone worked together seamlessly. The manager of the hotel in which we stayed in Apopka was very impressed with the caliber of our students,” Parsons stated. “Five recent alumni were able to join us for performances, and it was special to have them with us again. The only thing that would have improved [the tour] is if one member who was sick had been able to go. We missed him and would’ve loved to have him be part of the experience.”
Michael White, junior film production major, and Rafferty Bradford, junior music education major, enjoyed touring with the Wind Symphony.
“There’s plenty of memories to be made, and often some shenanigans end up happening,” White stated. “Mr. Parsons gives a lot of free time on his tours, which means that the students can explore other areas instead of being stuck in all-day rehearsals but in different locations. We visited the beach and a freshwater spring, which was a lot of fun.”
“We had a lot of fun,” Bradford stated. “The hotel groups were great — I love how Mr. Parsons keeps everything organized and still lets us choose our groups.”
White and Emma Clark, senior mathematics major, spoke about Parsons’ upcoming retirement.
“His last concert is called ‘(A Few of) My Favorite Things,’ and it’s all pieces that were either bucket-list items for him or ones he conducted before and really enjoyed,” White said. “Mr. Parsons has chosen to go out with a bang, and I think rightfully so. He’s been a good mentor, director, friend and comedian for everyone who has come through Wind Symphony.
“It’s a really bittersweet thought that Mr. Parsons is retiring,” Clark said, “especially in the same year I’m graduating. I’ll always be thankful for Mr. Parsons [and] his never-ending joy in music and his enthusiasm to teach it. He’s the reason I play bassoon at all. I wish Mr. Parsons the happiest of days in his retirement and [hope] that he can look back on his conducting days with the assurance that he’s changed many students’ lives, including mine.”
Parsons spoke about his hopes for the Wind Symphony after he retires. The School of Music is still interviewing candidates, but Parsons believes that the life, mission and future of the ensemble will continue to be vibrant and meaningful under the direction of a new conductor.
“The future is very bright,” he stated. “Current members keep the fire burning. You’ve done incredible things this year that some of you thought were impossible, and you will be the foundation of the ensemble’s next incarnation. Those who chose not to participate this year [can] talk to someone who did and catch the excitement that keeps them coming back! It’d be wonderful to see you in the ensemble next year!”
