One blessing which I recognize for its importance in my life is the ability to remember many of the concerts I have been involved with. Some are remembered for their success and some for the disaster that incurred. Some are recalled for their importance and some for just the sheer pleasure of their moments in time. In this post I will speak of three ensembles I have had the great pleasure of performing with. The first was from the distant past, the second midway through my life and the third which was performed only a week ago.
Earliest Concerts- The Northern Iowa Brass Quintet
The Northern Brass Quintet was the faculty ensemble from the University of Northern Iowa and its personnel included many different members as time went on. The photo below was taken of the quintet in its infancy and includes the following members reading from left to right-
Keith Johnson (the originator and leader of the ensemble)
Jon Hanson (originally a student in the department)
Don Little (eventually joining the North Texas State music department)
Dr. David Kennedy (the first full time brass instructor at UNI)
Bruce Chidester- (43 yeas on the faculty)
To say that this chamber ensemble was active would be like saying Noah encountered some bad weather. This quintet was on the road most Fridays traversing the full expanse of the Iowa countryside performing and recruiting students for good old UNI. One year in particular, we logged in 52 concerts.
Our ensemble was greatly influenced by the New York Brass Quintet of which one member, Alan Dean (from Iowa), was a member. Due to the efforts of our ensemble, and our outstanding jazz program and its director (Jim Coffin), we were able to draw some of the best young musicians throughout the state to our school.
Later Concert- Cedar Falls High School Band Concert
I was asked to perform a solo with our local High School while our daughter, Kari was a senior at that school. The thrill I enjoyed that evening was amazing. To be on the stage with my daughter was the second concert most remembered in my life. To see this young lady sitting in the flute section behind me was a very emotional moment for me. I had to force myself to concentrate on my solo as I tried to perform, as well as enjoy the experience of the two of us sharing this musical time together. That was a great concert for me, and I hope it was also memorable for her.
Now we reach the most recent event in my performing history.
Catfest April 27, 2025
Catfest has been a great money raising festival for the Woodrow Wilson High School in the Dallas area. The school’s director, Cait Schmidt is a very talented and driven educator who asked me to join her ensemble for this year’s concert. I was honored for the invitation, and I was especially excited for both of our sons, as well as our grandson would also be in the ensemble. The possibility of three generations of Chidesters on the same program was a gift from heaven. If this was to be my last concert, I would be completely satisfied that I had fulfilled all of my musical goals in life.
