CLINTON - On a day when the weather couldn’t quite decide whether to feel warm or chilly, Presbyterian College’s Chamber Winds and Wind Ensemble offered the perfect soundtrack: a Hot & Cold concert that shifted temperatures as often as the breeze outside. Held Thursday evening in Belk Auditorium and conducted by Dr. Giovani Briguente, the performance drew a lively crowd ready for a program that promised not only emotion, but a touch of sensory playfulness.
From the very first notes, it became clear that the ensembles weren’t limiting themselves to the usual range of musical moods. Instead, they nudged the audience to wonder whether sound could stretch even further—could a melody feel warm? Could a sudden chord feel cool? Throughout the night, both groups demonstrated just how easily music can imitate physical sensation, creating the illusion of heat, chill, pressure, and release.
The PC Chamber Winds opened the evening with a three-movement suite that acted like a slow spin of the temperature dial. Dramatic Prelude began with a bold, fiery flourish before melting into a gentle, breezy calm that felt like a draft of cool air drifting through the room. Yorkshire Ballad followed with a soft, lukewarm warmth that gradually deepened into something more comforting. Jet Stream rounded out the set with crisp contrasts and energetic swells, sweeping through the hall like a sudden, bracing gust.
Continuing the theme, the Wind Ensemble performed Little Acorns, a piece that simmered with shifting intensity—never fully cooling off and often bursting into energized surges. The concert wrapped up with Dança Brasileira, which opened in a light, refreshing coolness before blooming into a warm, vibrant close that filled the space without ever becoming overwhelming.
By the end of the evening, listeners had experienced more than melodies—they’d taken a musical tour through changing temperatures, all without leaving their seats.
And if this sensory-themed concert left audiences eager for more, the next event is already on the calendar. Presbyterian College’s Orchestra & String Quartet, under the direction of Dr. Giovani Briguente, will present a Classical Concert on Thursday, November 20th at 7:30 PM in Edmunds Hall. The program includes works by Haydn, Mendelssohn, Shostakovich, Corelli, Accolay, and Mozart, with violinist Lauren Smoak featured as a soloist.
The event is free, open to the public, and welcomes casual attire—another perfect opportunity to enjoy an evening of live music on campus.
