Maestro Rowell described his 16 years as the MWO ’ s artistic director as “ stimulating and musically fulfilling !”
“ The Massachusetts Wind Orchestra was an extraordinary community of friends and musicians , each possessing a love of the art form , artistry of the highest order , along with an unwavering commitment to artistic excellence . Rehearsals were dotted with “ eureka ” moments in which every effort was dawned with expectation , melodic intensity and authentic interpretation , in search of love and truth . It was my intention that this organization reflect the highest levels of artistic excellence and that our programming would embrace a body of literature from many of the profession ’ s most creative minds . Furthermore , my goal was to create experiences for our musicians that ‘ deepened and enriched .’ Rehearsals and performances that engaged the ears and minds of the audience as well as the performers .”
Rowell served as Musical Director of Massachusetts Wind Orchestra through the 2007 season .
In the early 1990 ’ s Rowell was hired as guest artist to revive the Boston University Wind Ensemble , acting as its conductor / artistic director for three and a half years while maintaining his position at UMass . He said he loved the opportunity to establish himself within the Boston arts community as well the chance to affect a new population of students from around the world . His BU experience helped to ‘ restore and renew ” his passion and purpose among the students at UMass .
Over the last 10 years of his career , diminishing funds restricted ensemble touring and Rowell turned his efforts to recording ; 4 CD ’ s with the UMass Wind Ensemble and 2 with the Massachusetts Wind Orchestra . Each earning the praise of composers John Corigliano , Karel Husa , Keith Wilson , Dana Wilson and Frank Ticheli for their ‘ evocative sounds , spirit and exuberance , clarity and interpretation .’
He said that in his later years at the university his understanding of teaching and learning evolved to focus on providing a “ teaching model ” for students , thus completing a teaching cycle that returned to his early days in the profession as a public school music educator .
“ Believing that performance is key to musical ownership , my every effort focused on helping young musicians discover their ‘ right of passage ,’ thus realizing the distinction between what one does for a living and what one does with life , he said . There is a sense of urgency and passion that those of us in the arts must feel if we are to call ourselves artists . My legacy is in providing that ‘ model ’ for future music educators .”
In 2002 , Professor Rowell was approaching age 62 and it was a time of enormous change at UMass . Rowell was among ten music faculty retiring and it seemed obvious that the Department of Music & Dance would be facing a new era .