Sunday, March 28, 2010

MMCCB Welcomes the Dallas Brass

Good news!

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band, in conjunction with Wisconsin Lutheran High School, welcome the Dallas Brass on Sunday April 25th. The Brass will perform in the High School Auditorium beginning at 6 PM. Wisconsin Lutheran High School is on 84th Street, just south of Bluemound Road.

Unfortunately, there are not a lot of details available at this time. I have heard rumors of a possible master class, but those are only rumors. The information I have been able to confirm is that tickets will be $15 and are available at the door.

However, the Dallas Brass is a top notch group and the cost is very low. Having them here in Milwaukee is a treat you don't want to miss. As I get more information confirmed, I will post it. Until then, mark April 25th on your calendar!

Also, don't forget this Tuesday evening is a concert by the Milwaukee Festival Youth Brass at the Lincoln Center of the Arts at 7 PM.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

A reminder and an audition notice for students

Be sure to attend the Knightwind Ensemble concert today, March 21, at 3 PM in the Schwan Concert Hall of Wisconsin Lutheran College. If you'd like a discount on the adult priced tickets in your group, see the website: http://www.knightwind.org/, and click on the Next Concert link. If you print the page, you'll get $1 off the adult priced tickets for everyone in your party.

And say hello. I'll be selling the tickets!

Also, the Milwaukee Festival Youth Brass will be holding auditions on April 23 and 24. The Youth Brass, also directed by MFB Maestra Patricia Backhaus, welcomes brass and percussion student musicians from age 10 through 17. For the audition, students will be asked to perform a three to five minute solo or etude, scales, double and triple tonging and sight reading. Percussionists will be asked to play drum set, tympani, and mallet instruments.

Rarely can a student in that age range participate in a British style Brass Band; truly a unique experience.

And you can see the Milwaukee Festival Youth Brass perform on Tuesday evening March 30th at 7 PM, at the Lincoln Center of the Arts, 820 E. Knapp St. If you'd like more information regarding the auditions, please contact Maestra Backhaus at Director@mfbrass.org. Or see the web site for more information: http://www.mfbrass.org/.

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Concert Preview: Wauwatosa Community Band

The Wauwatosa Community Band, better known as Tosa Band, performs on Tuesday evening March 16 at 7:30 in the Longfellow Middle School Auditorium, corner of 76th and North Avenue. Music Director Donna Kummer has chosen an Irish Music theme for the concert in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

While I do not have the details of the concert, their performances are always fun. You can follow Tosa Band, and their sister group Tosa Jazz, on the web site: www.arcfile.com/tosaband/. And they are now on Facebook. See the link from their web site.

And don't forget the Knightwind Ensemble concert on the 21st at 3 PM at Wisconsin Lutheran College.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Concert Preview: Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band

First a reminder: The Milwaukee Festival Brass performs today at 3 PM. Don't miss it.

Now on the the concert preview. The Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band (MMCCB) will perform on Saturday March 27 at 3 PM in the Schwan Concert Hall on the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran College. The theme is Adventures in Music, and the program has many different styles of music aimed for younger students.

The program includes two classical standards. First, the band will perform Ravel's Bolero, an orchestral favorite that transcribes nicely for band. Also on the program is The Pines Of The Appian Way, the last movement from Respighi's Pines of Rome.

Featured on the program is the conductor, Karen Lippert, performing a fun clarinet piece called Pepperino. Also included is music from The Lion King. And a surprise special guest will make an appearance.

As I mentioned above, the program is aimed at introducing younger students (grade and middle school students) to classical music. A special treat will be intermission refreshments of cookies and milk! Kids of all ages will enjoy that.

So, mark your calendar for Saturday March 27th. The MMCCB concerts are always fun. Be sure to attend, and be sure to bring your kids. They'll have a great time, enjoy some cookies and milk, and learn about classical music.

And a note for April: the MCCB will welcome the Dallas Brass. The Brass will perform on Sunday April 25 at 6 PM at the Wisconsin Lutheran High School Auditorium. More information upcoming!