Alumni Gazette

Ensemble Founder Dies

Frederick Fennell ’37E, ’39E (MS), ’88 (HNR), the founder of the Eastman Wind Ensemble and widely credited as the leader of the wind ensemble movement in the United States, died December 7 at the age of 90.

Nationally recognized as a teacher and a conductor throughout his seven-decade career, the Eastman percussion major introduced the wind ensemble at a concert in Kilbourn Hall in 1952, an event that altered how many thought classical music could be arranged for groups of musicians. Paring the number of players so that each was assigned one part, Fennell’s “chamber music” approach widened the repertoire of band music to include Mozart, Stravinsky, Hanson, and others.

“Fred Fennell changed music,” says Mark Scatterday ’89E (DMA), current director of the Eastman Wind Ensemble. “He was the consummate professional and entertainer—and a class act in every way.”

“There can hardly be a wind performer or conductor who has not been introduced to or affected by—in some major way—the innovations of Frederick Fennell and his Eastman Wind Ensemble approach to musicality in the wind band world,” adds Eastman professor emeritus Donald Hunsberger ’54E, ’63E (DMA), who led the ensemble for 37 years.

After teaching at the Eastman School for 23 years, Fennell conducted several noted symphonies and went on to found the Kosei Wind Orchestra in Japan. He received an honorary doctorate from the University in 1988.

Among his many honors, he received several Grammys, was inducted into the Classical Music Hall of Fame, received the Star of the Order from the John Philip Sousa Memorial Foundation, and was named an honorary chief of the Kiowa tribe.