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It wasn't my typical fare. But, like whiskey and religion, a little bit of concert band music isn't a bad thing. I readily confess to being a concert band neophyte. I went through a classical phase of my life a few years back. Even then, it never really extended into anything more than the occasional Copeland, the even less common Sousa. I know some directors/bands really shirk these staples and I for one, was happy to see Sousa on the program.
The concert was themed for dance. All of the pieces were in some way related. Even the encore, more about that later. I loved the irish sound of the flutes, reminiscent of tin whistles, in Spoon River. Late in this song there was some very complex xylophone (…like …instrument. --I don't know my band instruments well) that was a bit of a rough patch. Understandable, it seemed like a hard piece. I thought in Beautiful Jenny Polka the trombones did a fine job. There was some amazing slide work and it was very, very well done.
My concert high point was provided late in the first set by a Rebecca Burmesch who did a fantastic, sadly too short, solo on oboe. It was during the fourth act of Alfred Reed's Third Suite for Band. The Danse Generale. The solo was excellent. I love oboe music to begin with. And this was wonderful! Rising above the other instruments, as they went silent for her. Rebecca's oboe was crystal clear and hauntingly beautiful. Wonderful.
It was during this same Third Suite for Band the flute section struggled. I noticed it most in the Pas de Dux. It was a very hard piece for them. And though I could tell they were struggling, it was still played very well. I was impressed by it's complexity and how well they did do.
The crowd was fairly small, perhaps 80 people. I understand a person involved with the band, who also did publicity, recently left. It was a shame. I would say people missed out on a good show. The crowd was older, understandably. During intermission and after the show everyone seemed quite pleased by the whole event. I am sure the acoustics would have been better with more people in the seats. Even as it was, Delong Middle School has a good auditorium. My only complaint, the seats seemed low. Middle school height? I don't know. Maybe even it is just my imagination.
After the intermission, I discovered I had somehow lost my pen. I did as close to a full body search as I could manage, and not disturb my seat mate. I don't usually take notes at music events anyway. But, I am not often handed a printed program either. So, my second set comments are a bit more brief.
The band played the Urban Samba by local composer, and audience member, Michael Cunningham. I wasn't a huge fan. It had a taste of what I felt was neoclassical randomness to it. I understand it's purpose in a song, the discord to put the audience on edge. But, I just happen to not like being on edge while listening to music. So there is my bias.
The grand finale was Sousa's Washington Post March. I should have really had the video running. It was well done. I could tell the band knew it well and enjoyed it. The audience knew it well and enjoyed it too.
And the encore? A bit of out of character humor. Which is my favorite kind of encore. The Chicken Dance. I won't be able to make it to the Viennese Ball this year, where I usually get to hear this classic. It was great I was able to fulfill this yearly quota early.
Just before the concert started. The director raised his baton for the final concert-B-flat sound check. The rain began to pour on the roof. The director said to his band, "Listen! ….They are clapping already!"
It was a fun evening
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