Time for reflection and an event in Oshkosh

This is the time of religious holidays: Easter and Passover are the two that come to my mind immediately because I have many good Christian and Jewish friends. If you celebrate a holiday at this time of year, I wish the very best for you.

One note for people in the Fox Valley for Tuesday evening April 26. The Oshkosh Horn Choir under the direction of Dr. Bruce Atwell will perform at the First Congregational Church in Oshkosh beginning at 7 PM. This group is made up mostly of community horn players from all over eastern Wisconsin, from Green Bay to Milwaukee. Of course, there are a few horn students of Dr. Atwell performing as well. The Choir will perform a wide variety of music for about an hour or so. There is no charge for the concert, so don't miss it.

We're in that in-between period

Not a lot of news to report on the Milwaukee Community Music scene this week. So, let me pass on a real gem of the Internet that I've been listening to since last fall. It's called The Philcast - a daily podcast you can find at OnMilwaukee.com and ThePhilcast.com. ThePhilcast is the brainchild and work of former AM News radio guy Phil Cianciola. Ever since he was shown the door at WTMJ (about a year and a half ago), he has been working on a local Internet talk show. Every show is a lot of fun...where else can you can you hear about Bacon Cologne (Wednesday's podcast, or Show-gram as Phil calls it). So I encourage you to give ThePhilcast a try. And patronize his sponsors. I would hate to see this wonderful bit of Milwaukee culture go away. One other tidbit: the Tuesday shows have a segment called Tell-A-Friend Tuesday. So be sure to call in the the Phil Phone (888-414-PHIL) and mention that you heard about the PhilCast from the Milwaukee Community Music Blog, which is written by Bruce from Greenfield (that's how they know me on the PhilCast).

Concert Preview - Waukesha Area Symphonic Band

Join the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band on Sunday April 17 at 7:30 PM for a concert entitled Commemoration. The concert will feature the winner of the 2011 WASB Concerto Competition, flautist Elyse Brotzman, and will benefit the Adaptive Community Approach Program of Waukesha. Ms. Brotzman is a home schooled Senior in Glendale and has been playing the flute for 10 years. She is currently studying with Judith Ormond. She is a member of the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra and also performs with the Milwaukee School of Engineering Symphony Orchestra. She will perform the first movement of Jacque Ibert's Concerto for Flute. Also on the program are works by Norman Dello Joio, Edward Elgar, Rick Kirby, John Williams, and a special centennial celebration performance of Gustav Holst's Second Suite in F for Military Band. As previously mentioned, the concert is a benefit for the Waukesha ACAP, which serves adults with physical disabilities in the Waukesha area. Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the door. For more information, see the WASB web site, or call 262.370.6129.

Sad News

I received news that long time community band director Bob Awe passed away. Bob was a band director in the South Milwaukee School District, and for a long time was the director of Lake Band and the founder of the Lake Shore Wind Symphony. You can see more information here. Keep his family in your thoughts and prayers. Today is the Knightwind Ensemble concert, and I am preparing to sell tickets and perform the other duties in the lobby. So, not much of a post today. Hope to see you at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. For more information, check the Knightwind Ensemble site.