Many communities have a band, folks volunteering to make life in their communities richer. Some communities have orchestras. But very few communities have a brass band of the British style. The Milwaukee area is lucky to have the Milwaukee Festival Brass.
The first big difference is in the instrumentation. Instead of trumpets, they use cornets. Instead of french horns, they use the upright alto horn (called tenor horns in Europe). The rest of the instrumentation includes trombones (tenor and bass), baritones, euphoniums, and Eb and Bb tubas. As a result the "color" of the sound is much different, very lush. You really have to experience it yourself. Definitely worth taking in one of the concerts of the Milwaukee Festival Brass.
One big difference in the brass band tradition is the idea of competition. In Great Britain, the country is divided into sections. To reach the National competition in the fall, you must place in the top 2 or 3 in your section competitions in the spring. Here in the US, there is the Great American Brass Band Festival in spring, and the US Open Brass Band Championships in northern Illinois in fall. There are many other brass band festivals and competitions, but those are the two big ones.
And if you'd like to see the Milwaukee Festival Brass in competition this fall, reserve November 8 for your trip to St. Charles Illinois at the Norris Cultural Arts Center. While the details are not fully set, Dr. Pat Backhaus emailed me that they were intending to compete at the US Open this year, as they did last year. (In fact, if you bring up the US Open page, on the left side you can hear a short portion of an MFB performance.)
So, for something different, take a ride to northern Illinois on November 8th and take in the US Open Brass Band Championships
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
As promised - the 2008-09 Season Calendar
I know you're ready to print this post and decorate your refrigerator! But I'm still waiting for responses from two of the local band directors, and I have no info at all on two other groups. I'll need your help to get that info, more on that later. When the information comes in, I'll add it to this post so that everything will be in one place. And I'll be sure to alert you to the additions in the weekly postings. And now, on with the calendar of concerts!
OCTOBER
11 - Milwaukee Festival Brass perform Fabulous 40 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Sheboygan at 7 PM.
18 - Lakeshore Symphonic Band performs their fall concert at 7 PM at the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center
NOVEMBER
1 - The Wauwatosa Community Band performs a Children's Halloween Concert at 1 PM at Logfellow Middle School
2 - Milwaukee Festival Brass performs Fabulous 40 at the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay at 3 PM
8 - Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra performs a Fall Fantasy Concert at 7:30 at the Menomonee Falls Jr. High School
9 - Milwaukee American Legion Band performs their Fall Concert at 3 PM at Milwaukee Lutheran High School
11 - Waukesha Area Symphonic Band performs their Fall Concert at 7:30 at Shattuck Auditorium at Carroll University
21 - Suburban Concert Band of West Allis performs their Fall Concert at 7:30 at Nathan Hale High School
23 - The Knightwind Ensemble performs Pastiche at 3 PM at Schwan Concert Hall on the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran College
DECEMBER
7 - Menomonee Falls Symphony perform the Sing Along Messiah at St. Sebastian's Church in Milwaukee at 2 PM
12 - Waukesha Area Symphonic Band performs their Christmas Concert at 7:30 at Shattuck Auditorium
14 - Milwaukee Festival Brass perform O Christmas Brass at 3 PM in the Schwan Concert Hall
14 - Lakeshore Symphonic Band perform their Christmas Concert at 7:30 PM at the Basilica of Holy Hill in Hubertus
14 - Milwaukee American Legion Band performs their Christmas Concert at 3 PM at Milwaukee Lutheran High School
16 - The Wauwatosa Community Band performs their Christmas Concert at 7:30 PM at Longfellow Middle School
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
13 and 14 - Menomonee Falls Symphony present their annual Valentines Day Dinner and Concert at the Silver Spring Country Club. Dinner begins at 6:30.
MARCH
6 - Suburban Concert Band performs a winter concert at 7:30 at Nathan Hale High School in West Allis
8 - Milwaukee Festival Brass performs Americans We at their annual Festival concert at 3 PM at the Schwan Concert Hall. This year's concert salutes our Armed Services.
8 - Lakeshore Symphonic Band performs their spring concert at 3 PM in the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center
22 - Knightwind Ensemble performs their spring concert at Schwan Concert Hall at 3 PM
APRIL
MAY
1 - Waukesha Area Symphonic Band performs their annual Spring Benefit Concert featuring the winner of the Concerto Competition at 7:30 in Shattuck Auditorium
15 - Suburban Band of West Allis performs their spring concert at Nathan Hale High School at 7:30
16 - Menomonee Falls Symphony performs Springtime featuring the winner of their Young Artist Competition at 7:30 in the Menomonee Falls Jr. High School
17 - Lakeshore Symphonic Band performs their Concerto Concert featuring the winner of their concerto competition at 3 PM at the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center
17 - Milwaukee American Legion Band performs their spring concert at 3 PM at Milwaukee Lutheran High School
25 - The Knightwind Ensemble perform their 20th Annual Memorial Day Pops Concert at the Milwaukee County Zoo at 1 PM
JUNE
7 - Milwaukee Festival Brass present Intergallactic Brass at 3 PM at the Schwan Concert Hall
I am still waiting for information from the director of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band. As I mentioned above, when it comes in, I'll let you know and then add it to this list.
Also, I have had no luck finding the schedules for the Milwaukee Concert Band and the Greendale Village Band. If you have information on their season schedules, please post a reply with the information. Thanks.
OCTOBER
11 - Milwaukee Festival Brass perform Fabulous 40 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church in Sheboygan at 7 PM.
18 - Lakeshore Symphonic Band performs their fall concert at 7 PM at the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center
NOVEMBER
1 - The Wauwatosa Community Band performs a Children's Halloween Concert at 1 PM at Logfellow Middle School
2 - Milwaukee Festival Brass performs Fabulous 40 at the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay at 3 PM
8 - Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra performs a Fall Fantasy Concert at 7:30 at the Menomonee Falls Jr. High School
9 - Milwaukee American Legion Band performs their Fall Concert at 3 PM at Milwaukee Lutheran High School
11 - Waukesha Area Symphonic Band performs their Fall Concert at 7:30 at Shattuck Auditorium at Carroll University
21 - Suburban Concert Band of West Allis performs their Fall Concert at 7:30 at Nathan Hale High School
23 - The Knightwind Ensemble performs Pastiche at 3 PM at Schwan Concert Hall on the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran College
DECEMBER
7 - Menomonee Falls Symphony perform the Sing Along Messiah at St. Sebastian's Church in Milwaukee at 2 PM
12 - Waukesha Area Symphonic Band performs their Christmas Concert at 7:30 at Shattuck Auditorium
14 - Milwaukee Festival Brass perform O Christmas Brass at 3 PM in the Schwan Concert Hall
14 - Lakeshore Symphonic Band perform their Christmas Concert at 7:30 PM at the Basilica of Holy Hill in Hubertus
14 - Milwaukee American Legion Band performs their Christmas Concert at 3 PM at Milwaukee Lutheran High School
16 - The Wauwatosa Community Band performs their Christmas Concert at 7:30 PM at Longfellow Middle School
JANUARY
FEBRUARY
13 and 14 - Menomonee Falls Symphony present their annual Valentines Day Dinner and Concert at the Silver Spring Country Club. Dinner begins at 6:30.
MARCH
6 - Suburban Concert Band performs a winter concert at 7:30 at Nathan Hale High School in West Allis
8 - Milwaukee Festival Brass performs Americans We at their annual Festival concert at 3 PM at the Schwan Concert Hall. This year's concert salutes our Armed Services.
8 - Lakeshore Symphonic Band performs their spring concert at 3 PM in the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center
22 - Knightwind Ensemble performs their spring concert at Schwan Concert Hall at 3 PM
APRIL
MAY
1 - Waukesha Area Symphonic Band performs their annual Spring Benefit Concert featuring the winner of the Concerto Competition at 7:30 in Shattuck Auditorium
15 - Suburban Band of West Allis performs their spring concert at Nathan Hale High School at 7:30
16 - Menomonee Falls Symphony performs Springtime featuring the winner of their Young Artist Competition at 7:30 in the Menomonee Falls Jr. High School
17 - Lakeshore Symphonic Band performs their Concerto Concert featuring the winner of their concerto competition at 3 PM at the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center
17 - Milwaukee American Legion Band performs their spring concert at 3 PM at Milwaukee Lutheran High School
25 - The Knightwind Ensemble perform their 20th Annual Memorial Day Pops Concert at the Milwaukee County Zoo at 1 PM
JUNE
7 - Milwaukee Festival Brass present Intergallactic Brass at 3 PM at the Schwan Concert Hall
I am still waiting for information from the director of the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band. As I mentioned above, when it comes in, I'll let you know and then add it to this list.
Also, I have had no luck finding the schedules for the Milwaukee Concert Band and the Greendale Village Band. If you have information on their season schedules, please post a reply with the information. Thanks.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Couple of things
I was hoping to have a season calendar for the different community music groups in the area, but it's taking longer to put together than I had hoped. I'll put that together for next week.
In the meantime, get out those old instruments, blow off the dust (maybe rinse them out if you need to), and get that lip back in shape...or get the sticks and the practice pad out and get the wrists moving again. Then check the post from August 21 and join in on the fun!
OR maybe you've just chuckled reading that last paragraph, knowing that there is no way you could ever play again. In that case, contact your favorite group and volunteer your time. Every group needs help, some at rehearsals, some only on concert dates. Personally, I know that the Knightwind Ensemble needs some help on dress rehearsal and concert days (two days in November and 2 days in March, and that's all the commitment needed). There is a lot to do and every group can use a little help. So, take a look at your calendar and ask yourself if you could volunteer four afternoons over the next 7 months or so. Then contact your favorite group's web site (see the post from August 21 for the links) and give them a hand. They'll appreciate it very much and you'll feel great about it.
Time is so much more valuable than money...of course, money is pretty good as well!
Finally, don't forget the first concert of the season by the Menomonee Falls Symphony, coming up on Wednesday evening September 10th at 7:30. See the details in the last post.
In the meantime, get out those old instruments, blow off the dust (maybe rinse them out if you need to), and get that lip back in shape...or get the sticks and the practice pad out and get the wrists moving again. Then check the post from August 21 and join in on the fun!
OR maybe you've just chuckled reading that last paragraph, knowing that there is no way you could ever play again. In that case, contact your favorite group and volunteer your time. Every group needs help, some at rehearsals, some only on concert dates. Personally, I know that the Knightwind Ensemble needs some help on dress rehearsal and concert days (two days in November and 2 days in March, and that's all the commitment needed). There is a lot to do and every group can use a little help. So, take a look at your calendar and ask yourself if you could volunteer four afternoons over the next 7 months or so. Then contact your favorite group's web site (see the post from August 21 for the links) and give them a hand. They'll appreciate it very much and you'll feel great about it.
Time is so much more valuable than money...of course, money is pretty good as well!
Finally, don't forget the first concert of the season by the Menomonee Falls Symphony, coming up on Wednesday evening September 10th at 7:30. See the details in the last post.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
First concert of the fall season
We haven't even made it to September and there is a concert coming up!
The Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra observes the seventh anniversary of the September 11th tragedy with a performance of Karl Jenkins The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace. The performance will be on Wednesday evening September 10th at 7:30 PM at the Basilica of St. Josephat, corner of 6th and Lincoln. Joining the MFSO are the choirs of St. Sebastian Parish and the Milwaukee Archdiocese.
Here is a description from the composer's web site: "In a manner reminiscent of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem, The Armed Man interpolates a number of different texts within the usual Mass form. Malory, Dryden, Swift, Tennyson, Kipling, The Koran and the Hindu Mahàbharàta contribute to a compelling account of the descent into and terrible consequences of war."
Tickets are $10. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 262-679-0779. You can also send email to mkamenski@saintsebs.org.
The Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra observes the seventh anniversary of the September 11th tragedy with a performance of Karl Jenkins The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace. The performance will be on Wednesday evening September 10th at 7:30 PM at the Basilica of St. Josephat, corner of 6th and Lincoln. Joining the MFSO are the choirs of St. Sebastian Parish and the Milwaukee Archdiocese.
Here is a description from the composer's web site: "In a manner reminiscent of Benjamin Britten's War Requiem, The Armed Man interpolates a number of different texts within the usual Mass form. Malory, Dryden, Swift, Tennyson, Kipling, The Koran and the Hindu Mahàbharàta contribute to a compelling account of the descent into and terrible consequences of war."
Tickets are $10. For more information or to purchase tickets, please call 262-679-0779. You can also send email to mkamenski@saintsebs.org.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
As promised, here's the list!
As promised, here is the list that I have of the community music groups in the Milwaukee Area, the nights they rehearse, and other information. This will give you all an understanding of the different groups, what they offer, and how to contact them. If you'd like more information about a particular group, send me an email at bigbruceb at yahoo dot com, and I'll get it to the correct person.
The post is organized by the day of the group rehearsals. Here we go:
Sunday: There is one group rehearsing on Sunday evening, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band. The band is always looking for new members. If an audition is needed, it is in order to determine where a person would sit. The group performs a more traditional concert band repertoire, and performs most of the year. The group is lead by conductor Karen Lippert. Unfortunately the group does not have a web site at this time. If you're interested in more information, please send me an email and I'll forward it to the conductor.
Monday: There is a community orchestra rehearsing on Monday evenings, the Menomonee Falls Symphony, directed by Mike Kamenski. Auditions are required. The group performs traditional symphony orchestra works. To get more information, see the web site: http://my.execpc.com/~regent/mfso.htm.
Tuesday: There are three groups rehearsing on Tuesday evening: the Wauwatosa Community Band, the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band, and the Milwaukee Festival Brass, the area's only British style brass band. First, the Wauwatosa Community Band is sponsored in part by the Wauwatosa Parks and Rec department and welcomes any and all players. Their concerts are lighter in nature with some more serious works for band. See their web site for more information: http://www.arcfile/com/wcb/index.html
Also on Tuesday is the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band. WASB performs more serious works and more difficult works for band. Auditions are required. Their web site is http://www.wasband.org/. If you have problems displaying the web site, I do know that their site maintenance is going on now. Send me an email and I'll forward your contact info to the correct people.
Finally on Tuesday is the Milwaukee Festival Brass directed by Dr. Pat Backhaus, one of my favorite groups. If you are a brass or percussion player, this group offers something different from most community groups as the instrumentation is that of a traditional British Brass Band. The music is a wide variety from Pops favorites to very difficult brass band competition pieces. Auditions are required. See the web site for more info: http://www.mfbrass.org/.
Wednesday: There are three groups rehearsing on Wednesday evening: the Sudler Award Winning Knightwind Ensemble, the Lakeshore Symphonic Band, and the Milwaukee American Legion Band. The Legion band is modeled on the traditional patriotic military band. Not sure if they require auditions. Please see the web site for more information: http://milwakeeamericanlegionband.com/home.htm
The Lakeshore Symphonic Band is located in Ozaukee County in Grafton. Their performances are at the Cedarburg Arts Center. You can get more information from their web site: http://www.lakeshoreband.com/.
The Knightwind Ensemble also rehearses on Wednesday evening. The Ensemble specializes in performing newer works for band and wind symphony. Their web site has the list of the pieces performed in concert over the past 10 years plus, and it includes international award winning pieces. Auditions are required, and the band will add you to the waiting list if the section is full. See the web site for more information: http://www.knightwind.org/. The Ensemble received the Sudler Silver Scroll from the John Philip Sousa Foundation in December of 2005. of the tens of thousands of community bands eligible for the award, the Knightwind Ensemble is one of 34 groups to EVER receive the award. Quite the accomplishment!
Thursday: Three groups rehearse on Thursday evening. The first is the Milwaukee Concert Band. As they do not ave a web site, it is difficult to get information about the group. However, if you are interested in a Thursday rehearsal, send me an email and I will make sure that the director receives it. Also rehearsing on Thursday is the Suburban Concert Band in West Allis, and the Greendale Village Band. These groups do not have web sites either. However, the Wisconsin Music Group Band list at http://my.execpc.com/~regent/band.htm has contact information for them. The problem is that the list is a bit out of date and I do not know if the contact information is correct or not. However, if you are interested in these groups, this is the best information available.
And that wraps up the list of community music groups in the Milwaukee area. If I missed one that you know of, please email me or add a comment to the post. I'll be sure to add it to the list.
The post is organized by the day of the group rehearsals. Here we go:
Sunday: There is one group rehearsing on Sunday evening, the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band. The band is always looking for new members. If an audition is needed, it is in order to determine where a person would sit. The group performs a more traditional concert band repertoire, and performs most of the year. The group is lead by conductor Karen Lippert. Unfortunately the group does not have a web site at this time. If you're interested in more information, please send me an email and I'll forward it to the conductor.
Monday: There is a community orchestra rehearsing on Monday evenings, the Menomonee Falls Symphony, directed by Mike Kamenski. Auditions are required. The group performs traditional symphony orchestra works. To get more information, see the web site: http://my.execpc.com/~regent/mfso.htm.
Tuesday: There are three groups rehearsing on Tuesday evening: the Wauwatosa Community Band, the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band, and the Milwaukee Festival Brass, the area's only British style brass band. First, the Wauwatosa Community Band is sponsored in part by the Wauwatosa Parks and Rec department and welcomes any and all players. Their concerts are lighter in nature with some more serious works for band. See their web site for more information: http://www.arcfile/com/wcb/index.html
Also on Tuesday is the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band. WASB performs more serious works and more difficult works for band. Auditions are required. Their web site is http://www.wasband.org/. If you have problems displaying the web site, I do know that their site maintenance is going on now. Send me an email and I'll forward your contact info to the correct people.
Finally on Tuesday is the Milwaukee Festival Brass directed by Dr. Pat Backhaus, one of my favorite groups. If you are a brass or percussion player, this group offers something different from most community groups as the instrumentation is that of a traditional British Brass Band. The music is a wide variety from Pops favorites to very difficult brass band competition pieces. Auditions are required. See the web site for more info: http://www.mfbrass.org/.
Wednesday: There are three groups rehearsing on Wednesday evening: the Sudler Award Winning Knightwind Ensemble, the Lakeshore Symphonic Band, and the Milwaukee American Legion Band. The Legion band is modeled on the traditional patriotic military band. Not sure if they require auditions. Please see the web site for more information: http://milwakeeamericanlegionband.com/home.htm
The Lakeshore Symphonic Band is located in Ozaukee County in Grafton. Their performances are at the Cedarburg Arts Center. You can get more information from their web site: http://www.lakeshoreband.com/.
The Knightwind Ensemble also rehearses on Wednesday evening. The Ensemble specializes in performing newer works for band and wind symphony. Their web site has the list of the pieces performed in concert over the past 10 years plus, and it includes international award winning pieces. Auditions are required, and the band will add you to the waiting list if the section is full. See the web site for more information: http://www.knightwind.org/. The Ensemble received the Sudler Silver Scroll from the John Philip Sousa Foundation in December of 2005. of the tens of thousands of community bands eligible for the award, the Knightwind Ensemble is one of 34 groups to EVER receive the award. Quite the accomplishment!
Thursday: Three groups rehearse on Thursday evening. The first is the Milwaukee Concert Band. As they do not ave a web site, it is difficult to get information about the group. However, if you are interested in a Thursday rehearsal, send me an email and I will make sure that the director receives it. Also rehearsing on Thursday is the Suburban Concert Band in West Allis, and the Greendale Village Band. These groups do not have web sites either. However, the Wisconsin Music Group Band list at http://my.execpc.com/~regent/band.htm has contact information for them. The problem is that the list is a bit out of date and I do not know if the contact information is correct or not. However, if you are interested in these groups, this is the best information available.
And that wraps up the list of community music groups in the Milwaukee area. If I missed one that you know of, please email me or add a comment to the post. I'll be sure to add it to the list.
Monday, August 18, 2008
Summer is near the end...
However, in the last week, I have been out of the area vacationing. And it was very nice, thank you very much! However, it also means I did not work on the list of community music groups, when they rehearse, whether an audition is needed, etc. So I promise to do that in the next week and post it on Sunday the 24th.
Thanks for your patience.
Thanks for your patience.
Sunday, August 10, 2008
We're lucky, and that gives you options
The summer community band season is winding down. Many groups have completed their summer season while a few have a couple of concerts left. So get out and support your local community band!
But if the summer season is winding down, that means the fall season preparations are underway. Many groups are selecting music, and some are scheduling auditions. We're lucky here in the Milwaukee Metro area in that we have so many different community music organizations of all different skill levels. We have a community orchestra in Menomonee Falls, a number of concert bands all over the metro area including one that is nationally recognized, lots of different types of groups playing for church services, and a number of jazz big bands. We even have a British Brass Band. Very few communities can make that boast. And one of my co-workers who has had assignments all over the world has mentioned that there are areas of our country where there two or three community bands in the state. He was always amazed that our area had so much musical talent to support the many musical groups in the area. We are really lucky!
Another of my friends made this observation: if someone in the metro area wants to play in a band or orchestra, and they find that they are not doing so, they only have themselves to blame!
And that statement is also true. There are so many groups at different talent levels, rehearsing on different nights of the week, that it would be difficult NOT to find a group to play with.
So in the next few posts, I'll be going over the different community music groups in the area. So if you are debating about joining a community music group, you'll have a number options to evaluate. Until then, it's time to get out the instrument and dust off your beginner or intermediate method books and get those musical genes working again. Rehearsals will begin in the next few weeks!
But if the summer season is winding down, that means the fall season preparations are underway. Many groups are selecting music, and some are scheduling auditions. We're lucky here in the Milwaukee Metro area in that we have so many different community music organizations of all different skill levels. We have a community orchestra in Menomonee Falls, a number of concert bands all over the metro area including one that is nationally recognized, lots of different types of groups playing for church services, and a number of jazz big bands. We even have a British Brass Band. Very few communities can make that boast. And one of my co-workers who has had assignments all over the world has mentioned that there are areas of our country where there two or three community bands in the state. He was always amazed that our area had so much musical talent to support the many musical groups in the area. We are really lucky!
Another of my friends made this observation: if someone in the metro area wants to play in a band or orchestra, and they find that they are not doing so, they only have themselves to blame!
And that statement is also true. There are so many groups at different talent levels, rehearsing on different nights of the week, that it would be difficult NOT to find a group to play with.
So in the next few posts, I'll be going over the different community music groups in the area. So if you are debating about joining a community music group, you'll have a number options to evaluate. Until then, it's time to get out the instrument and dust off your beginner or intermediate method books and get those musical genes working again. Rehearsals will begin in the next few weeks!
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