Missed yesterday's post

As you can see, I missed a post yesterday.  And the reason is two-fold:  first, I was out of town, and second, there is little information to pass on right now.  Most groups have begun rehearsals, but the programs have not yet been solidified.

I hope to have something for you this coming Sunday.  For now, stay tuned!

Season Preview: Milwaukee Festival Brass

I received a letter from the Milwaukee Festival Brass describing their 2016-17 season.  Maestro Mark Taylor did a nice job outlining the season and their ambitious goals.  I thought you would like to see it.  Be sure to mark their concerts on your calendar - they all look good to me.

Here is the letter:

Dear Friends of Milwaukee Festival Brass,

Welcome to the 32^nd Season of the Milwaukee Festival Brass!  After the excitement of bringing home another championship from the North American Brass Band Association (our first one was in 1991!), we are eager to continue our mission of making exceptional brass band music in Milwaukee and Southeast Wisconsin. 

We kick off the season with a concert sure to delight the young and the young at heart - “Brass Band Animated.”  Classic scores from animated movies and television cartoons will leap from the stage, and you will be transported back to those thrilling days of yesteryear.

Our traditional Holiday concert extravaganza will feature new selections as well as old favorites to welcome in a season of joy, gratitude, and family.  This year’s program takes on added significance, as the band embarks on a project to record its first-ever compact disc release.  The holiday-themed album will include selections from this year’s December program.

In February, the band’s winter program “Top Brass,” will provide a glimpse of the pieces we are preparing to perform in our return campaign to the North American Championships in Fort Wayne, Indiana, as we highlight the brass band’s technical prowess.  Later that month, we invite you to join us in Milton, Wisconsin, for Brass at the Border III, featuring performances by our friends in the Madison, Illinois, and Chicago brass bands.

In April, “Impressions of New Zealand” will allow us to transport you to a land that served as a backdrop for “The Lord of the Ring” movies. It will feature traditional melodies as well as contemporary works by New Zealand composers.  This concert will once again provide a spotlight for our exciting High School Apprentice Program.

As Milwaukee’s only British Brass Band, we relish our role as musical ambassadors for this great and vibrant city. In keeping with our mission of supporting the musical education of our area’s youth, we will continue to travel to a number of area schools to perform as guest artists in their band concerts.

We look forward to seeing you soon.  You won’t want to miss a moment of this fantastic season!

Warm Regards,

Mark A. Taylor

Music Director

2016 Concert Calendar

Here is the concert calendar for 2016 taken from the different web sites of the groups.   If I missed some dates, or missed a group entirely, send me an email and I will update the calendar.  Thanks for the help.

October

·         Sat.   15  7:30  Milwaukee Festival Brass at Cedarburg PAC
·         Sat.   22 7:30  Milwaukee Festival Brass at St. John's Lutheran Church in Brookfield
·         Sat.   22  7:00  Concord Chamber Orchestra at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa
·         Sat.   22  7:30  Menomonee Falls Symphony at the Sussex Hamilton Fine Arts Center
·         Sat.   22  7:30  Lakeshore Symphonic Band at the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center

November

·         Sun.   6   3:00 Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band at Wisconsin Lutheran College

·         Sun.  20  7:30 Milwaukee Concert Band at Brown Deer High School

December

·         Fri.    2  7:00  Greenfield Concert Band at the Greenfield High School Performing Arts Center

·         Sat.    3  7:00 Concord Chamber Orchestra at the Basilica of St. Josephat
·         Fri.     9  7:30 Waukesha Area Symphonic Band at Carroll University performing Holiday Music

·         Sat.  10  7:00  Milwaukee Festival Brass, Pius XI High School, Milwaukee

·         Sat.   10  2:00 Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band at Mitchell Park Domes

·         Sun.  11  6:00 Lakeshore Symphonic Band at the Basilica at Holy Hill

·         Sun.  11  3:00 Menomonee Falls Symphony at Hamilton Fine Arts Center
·         Sat.   17  TBA  Horns A Plenty Christmas performance in Appleton, WI (more to follow)

January

·         Sun.  29  1:30 Concord Chamber Orchestra at North Shore Congregational Church performing Chamber Music

February

·        Sat.  11  6:30 Menomonee Falls Symphony performing a dinner concert at the Silver Spring Country Club

·        Sat.  11  7:00  Milwaukee Festival Brass at Pius XI High School Performing Arts Center

·        Sun. 26  4:00 Lakeshore Symphonic Band at the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center
·        Sun. 26  3:00 Milwaukee Festival Brass at Brass On The Border at Milton High School, Milton WI

March

·         Sun.  5  2:00 Milwaukee Concert Band at Brown Deer High School
·         Sat.  11  7:00 Concord Chamber Orchestra at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
·         Fri.  17  7:00 Greenfield Concert Band at Greenfield High School

·         Sun. 26  3:00 Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band at Wisconsin Lutheran College

·         Sun. 26  3:00 Waukesha Area Symphonic Band in a joint concert with the Madison Brass Band at Carroll University

April

·         Sat. 22  7:30 Menomonee Falls Symphony at the Sussex Hamilton Fine Arts Center

·         Sat. 29  7:00  Milwaukee Festival Brass at Concordia University

May

·         Fri.  12  7:30 Waukesha Area Symphonic Band at Carroll University
·         Sat.  13  7:00 Concord Chamber Orchestra at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church
·         Sun.  14  2:00 Milwaukee Concert Band at Brown Deer High School

·         Sun. 21  4:00 Lakeshore Symphonic Band at Cedarburg Performing Arts Center

·         Mon. 29 4:00 Wauwatosa Community Band performing a Memorial Day Observance at the Milwaukee War Memorial

Want to play in a Community Music Group?

Southeastern Wisconsin and the Milwaukee metro area are very fortunate to have an active arts scene. The number of community orchestras and bands is huge compared to other areas of the country. A friend of mine moved to the South where there were two community bands in the entire state. He's glad to be back here and playing every week - it is a type of relaxation he can get nowhere else.

If you have thought about getting back into playing, or you were just interested in the different groups in the area, this post is for you. I've published this information for the last few years, and I still get emails from folks new to the area looking for a group to play with. It all comes down to a simple fact:  if you live in the Milwaukee area and want to play with a community music group, there are lots of opportunities at all skill levels!

Here's the list that I have. If you have more information about other groups, send me an email and I'll add it to this post.

Sunday: The Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band is under the direction of Karen Lippert. They welcome all players regardless of ability and play traditional concert band music. You can check their web site for more information.

Monday: The Menomonee Falls Symphony, under the direction of Mike Kamenski, rehearses on Monday evenings in Sussex at Hamilton High School. An audition is required.   You can get more information on the concerts, and on joining the orchestra, from their web site.

Tuesday: The Wauwatosa Community Band, under the direction of Donna Kummer, rehearses at Longfellow Middle School. Tosa Band performs as a symphonic band and also as Tosa Jazz, so folks who like both genres of music may find a good fit with this group. See their web site for more information.

Tuesday: For the folks in the western suburbs, the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band also rehearses on Tuesday. The group is directed by Rick Kirby, who has also composed music for some of the concerts. Their web site also has more information.

Tuesday: The Milwaukee Festival Brass, the only British style Brass Band in the area, rehearses on Tuesday as well. This group is unique in that they have an apprentice program for high school students. All the details are on their site.

Wednesday:  The Concord Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Jamin Hoffman, rehearses at Nicolet High School and requires an audition.  See their web site for information.

Wednesday: The Milwaukee American Legion Band is a traditional, patriotic-style community band. They are directed by Mike Van Pelt. Their site has information on their history, which is extensive, and on becoming a member.

Wednesday: The Lakeshore Symphonic Band serves the north shore and Ozaukee County communities, performing their concerts at the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center. Click here for their information.

Thursday: The Milwaukee Concert Band is another group with a long history, having been sponsored at one time by the Civic Music Association. See their web site for more information.

Thursday:  The Greenfield Concert Band is relatively new, having been in existence for only a few years.  They rehearse at Greenfield High School and do require an audition in order to place new members into the sections.  See their web site for information.

Thursday: The Greendale Village Band welcomes members of all playing abilities. They are a part of the School System in the Village of Greendale, and you can get more information from their web page.

And if I missed information on your group, send me an email and I'll be sure to post it.  Thanks.