Sunday, October 30, 2011

A different concert

Community music groups come in a number of different configurations: community bands, orchestras, church ensembles and the like. Every now and then a unique community group performs and I love to publicize it.

Such a group is the Oshkosh Horn Choir. The Choir is led by Professor Bruce Atwell at UWO and is made up of volunteer french horn players from all over eastern Wisconsin, with members driving to Oshkosh for rehearsals from as far away as Green Bay and Milwaukee. Many of these people also play in other community groups, but their love for the sound of the horn bring them together for this unique music making.

The Horn Choir's performance is at 7 PM on November 15 in the Music Hall of the Arts and Communications Center on the UWO campus. And I know that many of the musicians will gather at Fratello's after the concert. For those who may not know, Fratello's is located on the Fox River. The view in summer is spectacular. And Fratello's is the Oshkosh home of the Fox River Brewing Company. I can tell you from experience that the Scotch Ale is wonderful. After the concert, stop by and congratulate the group on the performance.

So, mark November 15 on your calendar. See you in Oshkosh. And say hi...I'll be taking pictures there!

And one more thing: it isn't often that I comment on concerts that I have attended, but I will take the space to mention the wonderful concert performed by the Menomonee Falls Symphony and the Daryl Stuermer band on SUnday the 23rd. The first half of the concert was made up of some light classics culminating with the finale of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony. The second half was a symphonic presentation of the music of Genesis, performed by the Stuermer band with the backing of the orchestra. The orchestrations were tight and it was fun to see the string section playing some of the rock rhythms. All in all, an excellent concert. I would love to see Mr. Stuermer take this show on the road with other symphony orchestras, and if a CD of this music was offered, it would be in my collection right away. Great job MFSO! Great orchestrations Mr. Stuermer!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

Concert Announcement - Kettle Moraine Symphony

Join the Kettle Moraine Symphony for a salute to Veterans of our armed forces on Sunday Nov. 13 at 2:30 PM at the West Bend High School Auditorium.  Veterans, their families and music lovers of all kinds will be treated to a celebration of United States servicemen and servicewomen, past and present. Local veterans groups are participating in the event which includes an honor guard, official service songs from the armed services branches, and special drum and dance features.

The program features Copland's Fanfare for the Common Man, music from the television show Victory At Sea, the official songs of all the branches of the service, and a salute to the Big Bands, including Glen Miller, Benny Goodman, and others.

The KMS is also partnering with AT&T Pioneers for a Cell Phones for Soldiers drive; old cell phones brought to the concert will be recycled to provide calling cards for Wisconsin soldiers abroad.

You can find more information at the Kettle Moraine Symphony's web site.





Sunday, October 16, 2011

Concert Preview: Wauwatosa Community Band

But first a reminder that the concert by the Milwaukee Festival Brass is Sunday October 23 at 3 PM in the Schwan Concert Hall on the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran College. The Halloween Theme should be a lot of fun. For more information, see their web site.

The Preview is for the Halloween Kids Concert presented by the Wauwatosa Community Band. The fun begins at 7 PM on Tuesday November 8 in the Auditorium at Longfellow Middle School, corner of 76th and North Avenue. The concert will feature music from one of my favorite movies of all time: Fantasia. Featured will be The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Paul Dukas, and Mussorgsky's Night on Bald Mountain, both of which were featured in the film. And I have to say that both are great selections for a concert this time of year.

And in celebration of the success of the Brewers this year, the band will perform the favorite Casey At the Bat.

Tickets are $5 for Adults and $3 for Seniors and Children. And stick around after the concert for the Cookie Reception sponsored by the members of the band. For more information, check out the Tosa Band web site.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

Just a reminder

Best to order your tickets for the Menomonee Falls Symphony performance on Sunday October 23. The concert begins at 1 PM at the Sussex Hamilton Fine Arts Center and features rocker and Milwaukean Daryl Stuermer and his band, performing symphonic arrangements of the hits of Genesis. I wrote about this performance a few weeks back. It will be a good one.

Just a note that the concert is at 1 PM because the kickoff of the Packer game is at 3:15. You'll have plenty of time to enjoy the concert and still make it home, or to your favorite place of Packer viewing.

The Menomonee Falls Symphony website has all the information. Since the seats for this concert are reserved, it is best to get yours soon.

See you there.

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Concert Preview: Milwaukee Festival Brass

Join the Milwaukee Festival Brass on Sunday October 23 at Schwan Concert Hall on the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran College for their concert entitled Ghosts and Goblins. Under the baton of Dr. Martin Rowden, the MFB will present original compositions and arrangements related to the Halloween Season.

The MFB will perform two British Marches: The Black Knight by William Rimmer, and Mephistopheles by Shipley Douglas. The MFB will feature the Euphonium in a piece entitled Midnight Euphonium, and the tuba in Marley's Ghost. Also on the program is Music of the Night from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera.

The MFB has been performing for many years at a high level of musicianship and entertainment. The new Director's choice in programming seems to keep that level high in both categories. Mark you calendar for an afternoon of music to welcome the first new co-director of the Milwaukee Festival Brass.