People

Musical Director/Conductor

Garrick Woods, Professor of Music at Cal Poly Humboldt, has been conducting for All Seasons Orchestra and the Partnership in Music Orchestra since June 2021.

Message from Garrick Woods: To the players of the All Seasons Orchestra,

Hello! I am grateful for the opportunity to perform music again and that I can make music with you! The camaraderie and unity of an orchestra is one of the things I have missed most during Covid restrictions. I believe that you get out of music what you put into it and I intend to put my whole heart into what we create. I hope you will do the same! When we meet for the first time in a few weeks, here are some things to expect:

I believe in mistakes! “Strong and wrong” is the motto. Accuracy, control, refinement, those are all processes. Intention is irreplaceable. It also makes it way easier to identify areas for improvement. Performance is not the time to begin putting your heart into it, that needs to be practiced as well! On a related note, my priorities for musical expression are: first rhythm, second expression/tone quality, third intonation/correct notes. They are all one thing, but if you must neglect some element, don’t let it be going for it! We are not the LA Phil; you don’t get fired for missing notes!

Dynamics and silence are the soul of the orchestra. Get comfortable playing VERY soft. Get comfortable playing VERY full, Get comfortable waiting long enough in rests and pauses. In every story we tell, we want to have the confidence that audiences are hanging on our words. Silence and breath are a powerful part of that. Watch how your favorite musicians use space and never apologize for it.

Practice makes flexible. I’m no kinesiologist, but one exercise session per week does not really make a significant contribution to your overall health in nearly the same way that several sessions do. Continued individual practice and improvement on the technique and repertoire of your instrument prepares you for anything that may come up in music you read or play elsewhere. Everything a composer asks of you IS attainable, but may require curiosity and problem-solving. Keep that practice process active!

I am very excited for what we will build together! Garrick

The leadership for All Seasons Orchestra includes:

Conductor, Garrick Woods Garrick.Woods@humboldt.edu

Concert Master, Holly MacDonell hollymacdonell@gmail.com

Manager, Don Bicknell don.w.bicknell@gmail.com

Librarian, Susan Bicknell s.h.bicknell@gmail.com

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