Jericho

Comments
Photo of conductor Richard Fischer

Dr. Richard Fischer, conductor [bio]
Concordia University Chicago
Clinician and adjudicator throughout North America

Jericho is by far the most imaginative, unusual and successful work I have ever performed in 33 years of conducting here at Concordia University. The students, myself, and the audiences had a very strong "positive" reaction to this magnificent work. We performed it ten times on our tour (Spring 2006) in the states of Illinois, Arkansas, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Texas and at our home concert here in Chicago. This work was passionately received by our students and the audeinces.

March 5, 2006
Last night [in Little Rock], almost the entire audience was in tears after Jericho. They were deeply touched. The host was so choked up she couldn't talk to the audience. She was speechless and crying in front of the entire audience.

March 12, 2006
We just played our final tour concert here in Austin, Texas. People could not stop talking about Jericho after the concert. Tonight's audience was very "sophisticated" since we were near the University of Texas. The people were very moved by it. Jesse, what a piece! God has used this piece in a profound way. Thank you! What a pleasure getting to know you. It has been an honor to play it and see what the impact has been on audiences.
Photo of conductor Jeffrey Scott Doebler

Dr. Jeffrey Scott Doebler, conductor [bio]
Past President
Indiana Music Educators Association

It was a great honor to premiere this work in the spring of 2005. The fresh techniques--especially surround-sound percussion, audience singing and shouting, and narration--make this work a unique and moving experience for the audience. Whether one is moved by the religious message of the work, or simply focuses on the absolute music, it is an extremely exciting composition.

Of course the Jesse Ayers was the highlight of the night [in Pensacola]. The audience participation is very special - plus the "surround sound". We had a drum and cymbals over our right shoulder. Lots of brass in the balcony, with drums and instruments dispersed throughout the side aisles. An excellent narrator, and when all put together, it's an awesome experience.

—Betty Heinecke
Mother of Veggie Tales film scorer Kurt Heinecke

My wife and I talked with you after the Concordia University Wind Symphony concert in Collinsville, IL [St. Louis area]. I again want to thank you for your Jericho composition. Like so many others, we were both in tears at the end of the selection.

—Bill Lubben, Director of Music
Glendale Lutheran Church, Glendale, MO

I am the English horn player in the CURF Wind Symphony and I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart for composing Jericho...[it was] very touching and made me cry.

—Chelsea Marie Heap
Student, Concordia University Chicago

The Jericho piece that you performed brought the Old Testament story to life through music in a way that I have never experienced it before.

—Pastor Brian E. Runge
St. Mark Lutheran Church, Houston, TX

Photo of conductor Amy Scurria

Amy Scurria, composer

I clicked on the excerpt for Jericho. When the music started to play through the speakers, I literally felt transformed. This piece is so powerful. It's engaging. Your language is compelling, unusual... It grasps me, but without engaging in any cliches. Within seconds, I found myself wanting to be sitting in the audience amongst the musicians to experience this powerful work. Jericho is a powerful work.

This page last updated on 07/27/07