CSUN’s Music Department presented a performance by its Wind Ensemble at the Plaza Del Sol on Dec. 6. Students were able to step away from the crowd and experience something unique.

The concert was conducted by Lawrence Stoffel, who has been at CSUN for 22 years. He said he chose CSUN due to the strength of its music department.

From a young age, Stoffel said he has enjoyed being in music classes, including in his junior high school band. Though he saw music as more of a social hobby, he realized in college that music was his passion and switched paths in order to follow it.

During the performance, all performers used wind instruments. Upon entering there was an array of flutes, clarinets, piccolos, oboes, bassoons and more. To indicate that the performance was starting, a long horn was played until everyone became silent. The lights dimmed with the volume and everything became silent, until only the stage and its musicians were lit.

When Stoffel appeared on stage, he began guiding the performers with grand conducting gestures. The performance started with songs from “Royal Fireworks,” a piece of music that was composed over 200 years ago.

The first few songs sounded like an orchestral performance with strings. Violins were heard though there were none, only flutes and clarinets.

Each song held a multitude of different sounds that kept the audience engaged. Melodies went from delicate to stout. There was little room for the audience to rest, which kept the performance enticing.

The pace changed with the trajectory of the songs, and the addition of drums illustrated the depth of every story told. Each instrument needed the others for the piece to flow.

After “Royal Fireworks,” Stoffel went on to discuss the history of the Czech Republic fighting to gain full autonomy in 1991, which was the story behind the next song, “Report.”

Stoffel said Bush Fisher, the composer of “Report,” was inspired by Czech citizens standing up against the totalitarian government. The song is meant to speak to the humanity of political suppression and the humanity of optimism, determination and freedom.

“Report” began with a high pitch, then switched back and forth to a low pitch. The story could be heard within each note. The song created tension within the room which was felt amongst the audience. There wasn’t an ounce of sound; only the instruments could be heard.

The ensemble took advantage of their space, going beyond the stage. There were performers behind the curtains, behind the audience and on stage. The song flooded the room from all directions, intensifying its impact.

The first act ended with “Thunder and Blazes.” Stoffel knew the audience would enjoy this piece, due to it being a tune the audience has likely heard in films.

“The next opposition is probably known by all of you, maybe not by title, but a melody you’re certainly going to remember,” Stoffel said.

During the intermission, many would wave to their loved ones or take the opportunity to talk to their friends, with many of the performers’ faces lighting up when they realized their loved ones came to support them. This set the perfect mood for the next performance titled “Santa Claus.”

“Santa Claus” held a story within each song, and Stoffel felt that it was only right to give a festive performance due to it being December. “Christmas Eve Festivities” was full of whimsy and was extremely joyous with its melodies.

The choice to hold two performances, one with historical backgrounds and the other with theatrics, was a brilliant decision by Stoffel. It allowed the audience to not only learn from but to connect with a scene that was familiar to them.

“I like to think of music as an explanation of the human experience,” Stoffel said. “It explains both the good part of humanity and the bad part of humanity.”

He said he believes that regardless of when a piece was written, everyone can still find meaning and attach it to each of these compositions.

Stoffel and CSUN’s Wind Ensemble will perform once again this spring. Their next performance will be March 12th, 2026, at the Plaza Del Sol. The concert will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and tickets range from $10 to $22 for entrance. Tickets can be purchased through the calendar for CSUN’s Music Events.