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The Concord Band Box 302, Concord, MA 01742 Tel: 978-897-9969 |
Notes from the Concord Band |
ContentsFall ConcertConcord Band Begins Two-Year 50th Anniversary Celebration on Saturday, October 27thThe Concord Band will open its 2007-2008 season at 51 Walden Street in Concord on Saturday, October 27, 2007, at 8:00 p.m. This concert will mark the beginning of a two-year celebration leading to the Concord Band's 50th anniversary concert in March of 2009. Throughout its long history, the Concord Band has distinguished itself among community bands by commissioning many new works for concert band by such distinguished composers as Norman Dello Joio, James Curnow, Warren Barker, Stephen Bulla, Julie Giroux, and Elliot Del Borgo. Over the next two years, the Band will be programming a number of its most outstanding commissions, and, in 2009, the Band will release a CD dedicated to these pieces. In addition, the Band has commissioned a major new work for symphonic band by composer Roger Cichy in honor of the Band's 50th anniversary. This new work will be premiered at the 50th Anniversary Concert in 2009. The very first work commissioned by the Concord Band was Satiric Dances by composer Norman Dello Joio. This work was commissioned in commemoration of Concord's Bicentennial of April 19, 1975, for the Concord Band, and was funded by the town of Concord. Satiric Dances has since become a staple in the concert band repertory. Dello Joio is considered to be one of America's most important composers. In this concert, the Band will perform Satiric Dances as well as two other major works for concert band by this composer: Scenes from the Louvre and From Every Horizon. The Band will also be performing another Concord Band commission, Dichotomy...Impressions of Kerouac. This work was composed for the Concord Band by University of Lowell composer Daniel P. Lutz and was premiered in 1997. The Band will perform this work in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the publication of Jack Kerouac's great beat generation novel On the Road.
The Concord Band has always also distinguished itself by featuring outstanding soloists from within the Band. In this concert, the Band is proud to feature flutist Jean Munro performing Stephen Bulla's Rhapsody for Flute. Jean Munro attended Ithaca College and was graduated from the University of New Hampshire with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education. She is currently a student of Andrea Mason Nolin. Jean held music teaching positions in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine before joining the high tech industry in Massachusetts. She is employed as a Sales Support Engineer at Progress Software in Bedford and lives in Westford. Jean has been a member of the Concord Band since 2004 and is currently on its Board of Trustees. The Fall Concert will begin with Fanfare for a Festive Day by Roger Cichy, and will also include On a Hymnsong of Philip Bliss by David R. Holsinger and Spirit of Flight, a new work for concert band by John O'Reilly, recently commissioned by the United States Air Force Academy Band, Lt. Col. Steven Grimo, Commander. Please join the Concord Band on October 27th for this exciting concert as we begin to celebrate the unique heritage of the Concord Band.
Lifetime Service Award to be Given Posthumously to Barbara CataldoIn 2002, the Concord Band Board of Trustees introduced the Lifetime Service Award to honor individuals whose participation, over a significant span of time, has made a fundamental difference to the Concord Band. Past Award recipients have been Bill Burdine and William Toland (2002), Carl Getz and Robert Turkington (2003), Gene Parish and William R. Phelan (2004), Ed Richter and Bill Siebert (2005) and Jerry Welts (2006). An Honor Roll is displayed prominently in the 51 Walden lobby. On October 27, 2007, the Concord Band Lifetime Service Award will be given posthumously to Barbara Cataldo. Her Award plaque, the first the Band will have given to honor a woman, will read as follows: Until her death in a December, 1996, auto accident, Barbara Cataldo served the Concord Band for over 32 years. With terms as secretary and principal flutist during the Band's celebratory US Bicentennial events, she played in the 1964 Sixth Winter Concert and every concert through October 26, 1996. Band was a family affair—Barbara's husband, oboist Ralph, as Band secretary, signed the Band's Declaration of Trust in 1968. The Band dedicated its first CD, A Winter Festival, to Barbara and Ralph. From appearances at Emerson Jr. High School, the Buttrick Mansion at Minuteman National Park, Lake Kiamesha, NY, and the Concord Library lawn to 51 Walden, Faneuil Hall and Fruitlands Museum, Barbara described her time in the Band as a "long, happy, fantastic, musical trip." Indeed, she helped make it so. Meet the Concord Band Clarinet Section and their Many Instruments
The InstrumentsThe origins of the modern clarinet, according to the Instrument Encyclopedia, can be traced back to the 14th century. By the late 17th century, this single-reed instrument was an established component of ensembles of many kinds. The clarinet reed, like that of the saxophone, is referred to as a "beating" reed that vibrates against the instrument's mouthpiece, as is distinguished from the double or "free" reed employed on the oboe and bassoon. The clarinet continued to evolve until the late 1840s, when it was revolutionized through the application of a fingering system that had originally been developed by Theobald Boehm for the modern flute. The Boehm system made the clarinet easier to play, improved its tone quality and expanded the range of each member of the clarinet family (see graphic). Today's set of clarinets, as used in symphonic wind ensembles such as the Concord Band, consists of the five instruments shown, and a few others (e.g., instruments in A and C), more commonly called for in orchestral music, the ranges of which extend above and below that of the most common B♭ clarinet. Before the introduction of the Boehm system, frequent changing of instruments was often a necessity during the course of performing a single piece. Of the five instruments shown in the graphic at the right, the upper (smaller) four are used in virtually every piece the Concord Band plays. The Band owns a contrabass instrument for those situations in which it is required. The B♭ instrument is without doubt the workhorse of the family. The Band's instrumentation usually consists of one E♭, one alto, two or three basses and as many as 15 B♭ clarinets. Clearly the clarinet section is the most populous in the Concord Band, representing nearly one third of our players. The success of the clarinet as an instrument is attributable to several factors: the ability of its sound to blend well with that of every other instrument and its flexibility and comfortable fit with every kind of music from folk and jazz to concert music that ranges in time from the pre-Baroque to the most arcane of contemporary works.
The InstrumentalistsTo prepare for writing these few paragraphs, your editor conducted a brief survey of the Concord Band's 20 clarinetists. It turns out that this group of very experienced musicians, with substantial musical training, would make an excellent subject for an extended magazine article, if not a book. The same could be said of several of them, individually. Unfortunately, there is barely room here for a few statistics and a handful of interesting quotations. Our clarinetists have been in the Band an average of 14 years. 75% of them have been in the Band five years or more. 35% have been with us for 15 years or more. 30% are or have been music educators. 40% were members of All-State or District Bands when in high school. 30% have played solos with the Band. 20% have served on the Band's Board of Trustees. One ran for state-wide elective office a few years ago. In their own words, but in no particular order: "One of the highlights of my musical career was being complimented by soloist Yo Yo Ma while sightreading my part." "I really enjoy the challenge of being in a top notch band. Expectations are high and I take that very seriously and therefore practice far more than I have for other groups." "It's a way for me to keep playing and practicing and to continue to play 'grown up' music when I teach elementary music all day long!" "I enjoy having an opportunity to perform quality music with conscientious musicians, to be part of an ensemble with a strong work ethic that enables it to prepare first rate concerts." "The opportunity to play behind quality soloists and vocalists is not to be missed." "It has been special to work with guest conductors and soloists, as well as composers who have written for the Band." "It's a pleasure to perform such challenging repertoire under such an exceptional conductor as Bill McManus." "The Concord Band has been a cornerstone of my life for 32 years." "I'll never forget our trip to Sandwich to play at a Channel 2 fundraiser. The Canadian Brass played at our intermission!" In recalling the Band's trip to Pittsfield for a festival nearly a decade ago, "We had a group dinner one evening. People in the Band were invited to approach the microphone and share something about themselves. Hearing stories from so many people about how important the Band was to them changed my entire view of the Band. I think one of the speakers was Jerry Welts. He described, now that he was older, how he got up every Monday because Mondays had purpose—it was rehearsal night. It gave meaning to his life. I think a few others echoed the same sentiment. I was moved by this. Band just wasn't about playing for a few hours, it was truly life sustaining and meaningful for members of the Band." She went on to say, "After 11 years of being in the Band, I view the Band members as extended family. I wish I could write this more eloquently, but can't at the moment. I'm supposed to be working." While none of the Concord Band's instrumentalists (clarinetist or otherwise) is paid, it does cost about $40,000 a year to run the Band. If you'd like to help out financially, please write a check for as much as you can afford and mail it in the enclosed envelope. If you have no return envelope, simply send your check to the address at the top of this newsletter. It's Time to Make Your Concord Band Holiday Pops ReservationsBe sure to use the reservation card enclosed with this mailing to make your reservations early for the Concord Band's annual Holiday Pops concerts, to be held at 51 Walden on December 7th and 8th at 8:00 PM. There's no better way to celebrate the holiday season than to enjoy an evening of great music and fun in the festive 51 Walden holiday atmosphere! Holiday Pops with the Concord Band has become a tradition with many area families and sells out early. Seating at tables for four is priced at $20 per adult; $15 per child, 12 and under, including beverages and snacks. Return your reservation card today! Reservations can also be made by calling 978-897-9969. Enjoy the Concord Band Fall Concert on CD!Available in a box in the 51 Walden lobby during the Fall Concert will be an order form for a CD of that evening's concert. Those who would like a CD of the October 27th concert will be asked to complete the order form and either return it to the box in the lobby or mail it in after the concert. The prepaid price of $15 per CD includes shipping and handling. Payments must be received by November 13th. It is anticipated that the CDs will be mailed in early December. Calendar of Upcoming EventsConcerts will be held at 51 Walden, Concord, at 8:00pm.
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