After conducting hundreds of performances and teaching thousands of passionate music students at NDSU for 25 years, Director of Bands Warren D. Olfert is retiring this spring.
“It’s been a great run,” Olfert said. “I’m proud to see all the great things our music alumni are doing. That impact is clearly seen and felt throughout the region.”
In honor of his contributions to NDSU, the Challey School of Music commissioned a piece entitled "Genesis" by James Stephenson, one of America’s leading composers, conductors and arrangers who is based in Chicago. The NDSU Wind Symphony will debut "Genesis" at Olfert’s final concert at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 27 in Festival Concert Hall.
Stephenson and Olfert met at the Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Festival in Chicago years ago. However, their friendship blossomed after Olfert invited Stephenson to NDSU as a guest composer in 2015 and as a guest conductor in 2021.
When NDSU Performing Arts approached Stephenson about writing a piece in honor of Olfert’s retirement concert, he was thrilled. “I especially love writing music for people I know because I can sneak in little tidbits to make it more personal,” Stephenson said.
"Genesis" is a tone poem, or a musical piece that tells a story. Olfert suggested this creative avenue to Stephenson, as symphonic poems written for bands are limited. But that’s all the creative direction Olfert wanted to give.
“A lot of times with a composer, you get the best results when you turn them loose and let their creative juices flow,” he said. “So, I told him to surprise me.”
When Olfert first heard the electronic mock-up of the piece in late February, he was stunned. “It was the coolest thing I’d ever heard. When you plug in real players and instruments, it’s a masterpiece.”
The beginning of the piece focuses primarily on trombones – Olfert’s primary instrument – and each “chapter” of the story is named after different beers Warren created during his recent foray into homebrewing. “That’s a new (and delicious) hobby Warren has begun, so I wanted to recognize that as well,” Stephenson said.
Even the title is a nod to Olfert’s love of the rock group, Genesis. Stephenson started his career as an arranger, so he’s always been comfortable adopting other styles of music. This is the first time he’s composed a piece of this nature, and the meaning of the title is two-fold.
“‘Genesis’ also refers to the beginning of something,” Stephenson said. “If I know Warren, he is just getting started and has many plans for his new beginning in the world of retirement.”
Warren’s plans so far? “Whatever I want.” He said.
The NDSU Wind Symphony performs the world premiere of "Genesis" and other works that shaped Olfert’s career at the concert. A reception will follow in the Challey Atrium. Admission to the concert is $5 for adults, $2 for seniors and students and free for NDSU students with I.D.
