James Syler at Piedmont Wind Symphony: Rhythm, Renewal, and Rising Rivers

On February 21, Piedmont Wind Symphony, under the direction of Mark A. Norman, Artistic Director & Conductor, presents an extraordinary evening of music exploring rhythm, reflection, despair, and renewal. The program features two remarkable works by James Syler, including a world premiere, alongside Fanfare Ritmico by Jennifer Higdon. The concert is performed in collaboration with the Winston-Salem Symphony Chorus and features celebrated soloists, soprano Elizabeth Pacheco Rose and Principal Tubist Brent Harvey.

Winston-Salem Symphony Chorus | Photo by J Farley Photography

Fanfare Ritmico

Fanfare Ritmico celebrates the rhythm and speed of life. Jennifer Higdon wrote the piece on the eve of the new millennium, reflecting on how quickly our world moves today. She notes that everyone follows the beat of their own drummer, and those drummers are moving faster and faster at many levels. Rhythm, from the individual heartbeat to the rapid pace of technology, permeates daily life, and this fanfare captures the energy of both man and machine in the new century.

Originally commissioned by The Women’s Philharmonic as part of The Fanfares Project, the piece premiered in 2000 under the direction of Apo Hsu. The wind ensemble version was commissioned by Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia at Illinois Wesleyan University and premiered in 2002 by the Illinois Wesleyan Wind Ensemble. This vibrant, energetic work sets the perfect opening for an evening of rhythm, reflection, and renewal.

Rivers Ascending

The program also features the world premiere of Rivers Ascending, a tuba concerto commissioned specifically for Brent Harvey, Piedmont Wind Symphony’s Principal Tubist. Inspired by the metaphor of water rising against gravity, the work transforms the tuba into a lyrical, soaring, and virtuosic instrument, defying expectations in both sound and storytelling.

As Syler describes:

“A new work that transforms the tuba into something we can only imagine — between a concerto and a story.”

Brent Harvey, tuba

Raised in Apple Valley, Minnesota, Brent serves as Professor of Tuba-Euphonium and Music Theory at Winston-Salem State University and as Adjunct Professor at UNC School of the Arts. He has performed and recorded internationally as a soloist and with ensembles including the Minnesota Orchestra and the National Wind Ensemble. He also maintains an active presence in tuba-euphonium education, adjudication, and performance at regional and international conferences.

Symphony No. 1 “Blue”: A Journey of Hope

At the heart of the program is Syler’s Symphony No. 1 “Blue”, a five-movement choral symphony for soprano, wind ensemble, and chorus. This emotionally charged work traces a modern soul’s journey from despair to renewal. Presented in collaboration with the Winston-Salem Symphony Chorus, the piece blends symphonic and oratorio elements, with a lyrical text by the composer that explores the loss of hope and the process of finding it again.

Christopher Gilliam, Symphony Chorus Director | Photo by J Farley Photography

The chorus itself has deep roots in Winston-Salem, tracing its beginnings to the 1940s when three separate ensembles merged to form the Singers’ Guild in 1960. After collaborating frequently with the Symphony, the ensemble merged with it in 1971 to become the Winston-Salem Symphony Chorale, later renamed the Winston-Salem Symphony Chorus in 2018. Today, under the direction of Dr. Christopher Gilliam, this auditioned symphonic choir of volunteer singers includes professionals from the region and beyond. Over the years, the chorus has performed works by Mahler, Beethoven, Bernstein, Haydn, Orff, and Verdi, alongside intimate stand-alone concerts, bringing both grandeur and nuance to their performances.

Elizabeth Pacheco Rose, soprano

Soprano Elizabeth Pacheco Rose is featured as the soloist for Symphony No. 1 “Blue.” Known for her alluring stage presence and dramatic versatility, she has performed roles ranging from Mimì and Pamina to Donna Anna and Mélisande, with operatic appearances including La Bohème, Die Zauberflöte, Pelléas et Mélisande, and Dialogues des Carmélites. Her concert repertoire spans Handel, Beethoven, Mozart, and Barber, with recent engagements including performances of Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 with the Winston-Salem Symphony and at the Pablo Casals Festival. A native of Northern Virginia, she holds degrees from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, the University of Illinois, and the University of Colorado Boulder, and serves as a voice teacher at Wake Forest University and University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

About the Composer in Residence

James Syler, composer in residence

James Syler is a composer, teacher, and writer born in Hyde Park, NY. Known for his lyricism, energy, and drama, he has been on the faculty at the University of Texas at San Antonio since 2001, where he teaches composition and related music courses. He resides in San Antonio, Texas, with his wife, pianist Elizabeth Gutierrez.

This one-night-only concert celebrates collaboration, innovation, and the emotional power of live music.

From the exhilarating rhythms of Fanfare Ritmico, to the soaring soprano lines and choral depths of Symphony No. 1 “Blue”, to the transformative storytelling of Rivers Ascending, audiences are invited to witness music that moves from darkness to light, despair to hope, and imagination to reality.

Syler Symphony No. 1 "Blue"

Feb 21 2026 | 7:30PM | Brendle Recital Hall

Tickets available now at pwsymphony.org/blue