Exhibits

The Ross Hastings Project

The Legacy of Ross Hastings

by Ann Hoffman
(excerpted from an article published in The View,
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, fall 1992.)

The legacy of composer Ross Hastings lives on through the donation of his works to UW-Eau Claire's department of music. The University Symphony Band, then under the direction of Donald S. George, began its relationship with Hastings in 1981 when the American composer heard recordings the band had made for Bourne Publishing Co. Since that time, the band has given premiere performances of several of Hastings' major works for concert band.

After Hastings died in July 1991, his widow, Marion, and daughter, Verdi Morley, contacted George and told him that Hastings had requested that all of his works be donated to the UW-Eau Claire music department. "Ross Hastings wanted his music performed," said George, professor of music. "He didn't want it sealed up in a box or sitting around collecting dust." So far, three full shipments of scores, recordings and original compositions have arrived on campus.

Ross Hastings

"Ross composed everything -- pieces for band, orchestra, choir, small chamber ensembles, solo pieces -- you name it," George explained. "He wrote as the spirit moved him." "Not only will students and faculty have access to his works, but members of the public also are invited to view these items," George said.

George described Hastings as a better-than-average composer. "You can't readily spot his style in his original music," he said. "He wrote very traditionally, not modern or avant-garde. His pieces were very melodic."

Of the four major band works Hastings composed, the Symphony Band premiered all of them. The ensemble also has performed four of his transcriptions. One of the highlights of the band's association with Hastings came about when he was commissioned to write a holiday piece for UW-Eau Claire. "'The Joy of Christmas' was premiered here three years ago and has become the traditional closing for our annual holiday concert," George said. "The piece is 20 minutes long and involves every campus ensemble -- Symphony Band, Symphony Orchestra, all of the choral ensembles -- everyone gets into the act." Some of Hastings' recently donated pieces have never been performed, George explained. "So we hope to perform them in concert over the next few years."