Happy Season, whichever one you celebrate

Most of the concerts are completed for this Holiday Season.  Most of the ones yet to complete are a part of the religious celebrations.  Be sure to thank the musicians working to make those celebrations wonderful. 

Merry Christmas to all.  The blog will be back on January 8 with the spring calendar of concerts.

Concert Preview - Milwaukee Festival Brass

The Milwaukee Festival Brass performs Holiday for Brass on Saturday evening December 10 at the Pius XI High School Arts Center.  The concert begins at 7 PM.

The program will include both traditional carols as well as newer works sure to become holiday classics.  Among those will be contemporary composer John Rutter's What Sweeter Music, featuring David Meyer on euphonium.  The MFB will also perform the upcoming National Championship work Dimensions by Peter Graham.

If you have never heard a British style Brass Band, I highly recommend attending this concert.  The sound is something hard to describe but very easy to enjoy!  Tickets are $12, $9 for seniors and students.  If you need more information, see the MFB web site.

And the group will be having a silent auction before the concert and during the intermission.  There will be a lot of wonderful things to bid on, just in time for Christmas giving!  See you there.

For those who enjoy the sound of French Horns

The Oshkosh Horn Choir, under the direction of Dr. Bruce Atwell, performs this Sunday December 4 at 7PM in the Music Hall on campus.  If you have never enjoyed the sound of a choir of French Horns, you are in for a treat.

The concert is free and open to the public.  Unfortunately, I do not have the program as of this writing.  But I hope to see you there.  I know you will enjoy it.

Holiday Concert Calendar and the Concord Chamber Orchestra

So that it is easy for you to mark your calendar with all of the Holiday concerts, here is the list that I have.

• 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 
• Sat.   10  2:00 Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band at Mitchell Park Domes
• Sat.   10  7:00 Milwaukee Festival Brass, Pius XI High School, Milwaukee
• 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 in Appleton (more information to follow)

The Concord Chamber Orchestra will perform on Saturday December 3 at the Basilica of St. Josephat at 7PM.  The concert theme is The Greatest Story, even though the concert will delve into two great stories.  The first is the story of a toy that comes alive, as the Orchestra performs music from The Nutcracker.  The the Orchestra performs Poulenc's Gloria, celebrating the Greatest Story Ever Told.

See the CCO web site for more information.

Happy Thanksgiving

No concerts coming up for the next couple of weeks.  Instead a wish for you and yours to enjoy the beginning of the extended Holiday Season enjoying the many blessings we have.  Happy Thanksgiving!

Concert reminder

The Milwaukee Concert band will perform at Brown Deer High School on Sunday November 20.  Unfortunately, I do not have any information about the concert.  However, there is contact information on the band's web site for more information.

Something different for your calendar this holiday season

I just got word that Horns A Plenty Christmas will be performing again in the Appleton / Neenah area this December 17th at 2:30 PM at the Fox Valley Lutheran High School.  If you have not heard a concert of Horns A Plenty Christmas, you are in for a treat.

The group is all volunteer of all abilities.  The music is easy to play but well arranged.  The result is, after a short rehearsal, a wonderful concert of Christmas music played by a large choir of french horns, all in four part harmony.  There is no admission charge, but donations are used to fund scholarships for french horn students.

The sound of a french horn choir is very unique and well worth the trip to Neenah on December 17th. Be sure to put it on your calendar.

Upcoming concert by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band

The MMCCB will perform Autumn Winds, celebrating the changing of the seasons with music of the seasons.  The concert begins at 3 PM on Sunday November 6 in Schwan Concert Hall on the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran College.

The MMCCB concerts are always fun and they are a great way to introduce students to the world of classical music.  And the concerts are free.

For more information, see the MMCCB web site.

Concert alert: Waukesha Area Symphonic Band

The Waukesha Area Symphonic Band will perform Music From The Heart at Shattuck Hall on the campus of Carroll University in Waukesha, on Saturday October 29.  The concert begins at 7:30 and will benefit Healing Hearts of Waukesha County.

The program will be quite varied and will feature two world premiere pieces by Music Director Rick Kirby.  The program will also feature the music of Alfred Reed and Freddy Mercury and trumpet soloist Kevin Hartman.

See the WASB web site for more information.

A bunch of concerts coming up, all at the same time

Saturday October 22nd is a busy day for a lot of local groups:

• The Menomonee Falls Symphony performs at the Sussex Hamilton Fine Arts Center at 7:30 PM featuring the music of film scores
• The Concord Chamber Orchestra performs at St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church at 7PM featuring music of the Halloween season
• The Milwaukee Festival Brass performs at St. John's Lutheran Church in Brookfield at 7:30 featuring music of animation.

Quite the list to choose from, and all look like great concerts.  be sure to take one in!

Concert Preview - Concord Chamber Orchestra

Join the Concord Chamber Orchestra on Saturday October 22 for an evening of spooky music and fun.  The CCO presents Things That Go Bump at St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa.

Maestro Jamin Hoffman has programmed great music of the season.  The concert includes:

• Danse Macbre (Saint-Saens)
• Valse Triste (Selelius)
• The Witch's Ride from Hansel and Gretel (Humperdinck)
• Peter and the Wolf (Prokofiev)
• Night on Bald Mountain (Mussorgsky)

St. Matt's is at 1615 Wauwatosa Avenue, across the street from Tosa East High School, and just up the street from the Village center.

For more information or to order tickets online, please see the CCO web site.

Concert Preview - Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra

The Menomonee Falls Symphony will perform Film Scores through the Years on Saturday evening October 22.  The concert begins at 7:30 in the Hamilton Fine Arts Center at Sussex-Hamilton High School on Town Line Road.

Maestro Michael Kamenski has chosen a number of memorable movies, from which great music will be played.  Some of the titles include:

• 2001: A Space Odyssey
• Apollo 13
• Psycho
• Gladiator
• Amadeus
• The Mission

In addition to this wonderful music, film clips will accompany a number of the selections.

Tickets are $15, $12 for Seniors, and $6 for Students.  You can get your tickets online by visiting the Fine Arts Center web site:  http://www.hamiltonfineartscenter.com/.  You can also call 800-838-3006 to order tickets.  Finally, tickets can be purchased in person one hour before the concert.

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.

Time to take a break

The Milwaukee Community Music Blog will take a break and return on Sunday September 4 with a list of the different community music groups that perform, and may be looking for members.  Until then, stay cool and enjoy the rest of the summer.

Concert remainder

The Milwaukee Police Band performs at the Marcus Center Peck Pavilion on Sunday August 21.  On my list, this is the last community music group performance of the summer season.  Be sure to stop by and enjoy the music one last time.

Support your student musicians

The Wisconsin State Fair is in full swing.  Every day a number of school music groups will perform on the stages, around the grounds, and in the daily parade.  Be sure to take in a performance or two and show your appreciation to these budding musicians.

And maybe enjoy a cream puff!

Don't forget these concerts

The Concord Chamber Orchestra has two more concerts this summer season.

• Sunday August 7 at 1:30 PM at Lions Legend Park in Franklin
• Wednesday August 10 at 6:30 PM at the New Berlin Library Park

You don't want to miss the CCO this summer.  Hope to see you there.

Racine Concert Band update

The Racine Concert Band finishes it's 93rd Concert season in August, and here is the list of the last few concerts.

• July 31 - RCB is joined by former Miss Wisconsin and Racine native Jeanie Hatfield for an evening of jazz standards.  Paul Taylor performs on the euphonium.
• August 7 - Music Director Mark Eichner performs on the trumpet and tubists Zach Hamilton and Dave Boyd perform a tuba duet with the band.
• August 14 - Soprano Melisa Cardamone joins the band in operatic favorites and jazz standards.  Adam Maegaard performs music of Mozart on the French Horn.

Keep in mind that, if you play the Racine Concert Band Quiz each week, your entries (right or wrong) are entered into the Summer Sweepstakes Spectacular.  This year, besides gift certificates to wonderful Racine restaurants, you can also win a Fitbit Blaze.

The July 31 concert begins at 7:30 and the August concerts begin at 7PM.  All concerts are at the Kiwanis Club Amphitheater on the grounds of the Racine Zoo.  The easiest entrance to the concert grounds is at the lake on Augusta Street.  Hope to see you there.

Special concerts at the Marcus Center's Peck Pavilion

In case you did not hear, the Marcus Center will be hosting special band concerts this summer in July and August. 

• The Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band will perform on July 31.
• The National Champion Milwaukee Festival Brass will perform on August 7.
• The Milwaukee Police Band will perform on August 21.

All concerts begin at 2PM.  Food and beverages will be available as well.  For more information, see the web site.

Summer concerts for the Concord Chamber Orchestra

The Concord Chamber Orchestra will again perform summer concerts.  You can see the CCO perform on these dates:

• Music In The Glen in Glendale on Wednesday July 27 at Nicolet High School beginning at 6:30
• Franklin Lions Legend Park on Sunday afternoon August 7 beginning at 1:30
• New Berlin Library Park on Wednesday August 10 beginning at 6:30

The program is being chosen at this time, and as soon as I have that information, I will pass it along.  be sure to mark your calendars for at least one of these concerts.  For more information, see the CCO web site.  See you there.

Happy Independence Day

Enjoy your celebrations and support your local community music groups.

And don't forget the performance of the Milwaukee American Legion Band at Humboldt Park on July 5 beginning at 6:30.

The big celebration weekend is coming

And if you take in a holiday parade or concert, you will enjoy the labors of many people performing in volunteer community music groups.  Be sure to offer your encouragement and appreciation.  Whether young people performing in their first parade, or some older folks who may have been performing for 50 years or more, they love to share their music.  We need to say Thanks.

And thank you for doing so.  Enjoy your Independence Day celebration.

Summer season for the Racine Concert Band is approaching

The Racine Concert Band has been performing free concerts for years.  The 2016 season begins on Sunday July 3 at 7:30 at the Racine Zoo.  The most convenient entrance for the concerts is a gate on the corner of Augusta Street and Michigan Boulevard. 

This year there will be concerts on the five Sundays in July, all beginning at 7:30.  The August concert begin at 7:00 and will be held on August 7 and 14. 

It's all at Humboldt Park - Chill On The Hill

The Chill On The Hill Festival, sponsored by the Bay View Neighborhood Association, has great music every week on Tuesday evening.  There are two special concerts you may be interested in.

The Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra performs a free concert at the Humboldt Park stage on Tuesday June 21 beginning at 6:30.  This blog usually promotes the concerts of community music groups, but the MSO performing a free concert in the park is one that I will list anyway.  Here is a great way to introduce kids to the wonderful sounds lf orchestral music.  Mark your calendar for this one.

Also, the Milwaukee American Legion Band will again perform at Humboldt Park this summer on Tuesday July 5.  The group has performed at Humboldt Park for as long as I can remember.  You can enjoy a concert of marches, show tunes, movie music, and more marches. 

And, for those inclined, just a short walk on the other side of the hill is the Humboldt Park beer garden, for something to enjoy with the concert.

First of the summer concerts

The summer concert season always begins with the Shorewood Concert Band performing at the Chicken BBQ hosted by the Shorewood Men's Club.  This year the BBQ will be held on Saturday June 11, 11:30 to 7:30, at Atwater Park, corner of Capitol Drive and Lake Drive.  Rupena's is again the provider of that great chicken.  I can personally attest to the delicious chicken that is sold.  And the proceeds go to the different charities that the Men's Club supports, including the Shorewood Concert Band.

The band will be performing at 12:30.  Stop by and enjoy the music and some lunch.  Or better yet, purchase a whole chicken to take home for dinner. 

See you on Saturday afternoon on the 11th.

Memorial Day

Just a reminder to spend a little time in solemn remembrance of those who gave their lives for our freedom this weekend!

The season comes to a close

The last concert of the season is performed today by the Milwaukee Festival Brass at Pius XI High School on 76th St at 3PM.  This is one you don't want to miss.

And many community music groups will be performing in observance of Memorial Day on Monday May 30 in parades and ceremonies.  The Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band performs a special concert in observance of Memorial Day at the Milwaukee Veterans War memorial downtown on the lake at 4PM. 

Be sure to spend a little time that weekend in remembrance of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice to keep us free.

The last concert of the season - The Milwaukee Festival Brass

I meant to include this in the Sunday post and I did not.  The Milwaukee Festival Brass perform the last concert of the season on Sunday May 22 at 3 PM at the Performing Arts Center at Pius XI High School, 135 N. 76th St.  Maestro Mark Taylor has programmed Impressions of Switzerland. 

The Milwaukee Festival Brass is the only Milwaukee area British style Brass Band, with a wonderful rich sound.  The MFB won the 2016 national championship in their class at the North American Brass Band Association competition - quite the achievement.

After doing all that yard work on Saturday the 21st, take a break and enjoy the concert on the 22nd.

Just a reminder

The Concord Chamber Orchestra performs Life Begins at 40 at St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa on Saturday May 21.  The performance begins at 7PM.  You can order tickets on the web site or purchase them at the door. 

The concert will feature soprano Erin Sura.  The Orchestra will also have a silent auction beginning before the concert, and a reception after the concert.  It will be a wonderful, enjoyable evening.

I hope to see you there!

A day late

Sorry for the post coming out a day late.  The summer concert season is coming up soon, when communities all over will have concerts. 

The first event of the summer season is in Shorewood.  The Shorewood Men's Club always has a Chicken BBQ dinner catered by Rupena's in Atwater Park, corner of Lake Drive and Capitol Drive.  And every year, the Shorewood Concert Band plays a concert for the folks dining and picking up chicken dinners.  (By the way, the dinners are great!)  This year, the BBQ fundraiser is on Saturday June 11 beginning at 11:30.

No official schedule for entertainment is out just yet, but in past years, the Shorewood Band performed around noon for about an hour.  So, stop by, pick up lunch, and enjoy the first concert of the summer season.

Concord Chamber Orchestra concert May 21

Join the Concord Chamber Orchestra on Saturday May 21 at St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church for the final concert of their 40th Anniversary Season.  The concert looks toward the next 40 years of the CCO, and contemporary music in general, by building relationships with current composers and local soloists and increasing the orchestra's visibility.

The program:

     Larrikins & Legends • O'Boyle
     On the Beautiful Blue Danube, Op. 314 • Strauss
     Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis • Vaughan Williams
     Overture to La gazza ladra • Rossini
     "Debka" from Israeli Suite • Bar-Niv
     Knoxville, Summer of 1915, Op. 24 • Barber
     Antics • a new composition by Dan Lawitts

St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church is at 1615 N Wauwatosa Ave in Wauwatosa, across from Wauwatosa East High School.  Parking is available one block west of Wauwatosa Avenue.

For more information, please see the CCO web site.  See you there.

Upcoming Concert

The Milwaukee Concert Band will perform on Sunday May 15 at the Brown Deer High School Auditorium.  The concert begins at 2PM.

The MCB is one of the oldest community music groups in the area, having been formed in 1940.  For many years it was a part of the Civic Music Association.  At that time, CMA sponsored both an Orchestra and a Symphonic Band.  The MCB became what was the old Civic Concert band.

Unfortunately, I do not have the program that will be performed on May 15.  However, the MCB performs a more traditional concert, with some new music, some orchestral music, and some popular music.  I know you will enjoy it.

Concert Reminder

Don't forget that the Menomonee Falls Symphony is performing Saturday April 23 at the Sussex-Hamilton Fine Arts Center.  The concert features Beethoven's Fifth Symphony and the First and Second Place finishers in the MFSO Concerto Competition.

Check out the MFSO web site for more information and to order tickets.  See you there.

Congratulations to the Milwaukee Festival Brass

Congratulations go out to all of the members of the Milwaukee Festival Brass.  Over the weekend of April 1, they competed at the North American Brass Band Association's 2016 Championships in Fort Wayne, Indiana.  In the Third Section (the bands compete against other bands of similar skill level), the MFB placed first with a score of 273.6, besting the other 6 bands in their section.

Other area groups included the Madison Brass Band, which placed sixth in the First Section, and the Chicago Brass Band which placed seventh in the Championship Section.

All the more reason to attend the upcoming concert by the Milwaukee Festival Brass on Sunday May 22 at the Pius XI Performing Arts Center at 3PM.  Be sure to mark your calendar for that one.  It will be a great concert and a fun celebration!

Concert Reminder

Just a reminder about the upcoming concert for the Menomonee Falls Symphony coming up on Saturday evening April 23.  The concert features performances by two winners of the Concerto Competition, who are both violinists:  Samantha Carter and Zaneta Domblesky.

For more information and to order tickets, please see the MFSO web site.

Upcoming Concert: Waukesha Area Symphonic Band

Join the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band on Friday April 29 for the concert Wings.  The concert begins at 7:30 in the Shattuck Auditorium on the campus of Carroll University.

The concert will feature the 2016 Concerto Competition winners:  Andrew Burzinski and Anthony Burzinski, on trumpet.  Admission is $10 and the concert benefits the Waukesha office of ACAP:  the Adaptive Community Approach Program.  This organization allows people with disabilities demonstrate their talents within the community.  You can learn more about ACAP here.

WASB concerts are always enjoyable.  Certainly, this is a concert to add to your calendar.

Upcoming Concert: Menomonee Falls Symphony

Join the Menomonee Falls Symphony Orchestra on Saturday April 23rd for a program entitled Classic Rhythms.  The concert begins at 7:30 PM at the Sussex Hamilton Fine Arts Center.

During this season, the MFSO has featured rhythm in its concerts.  In this concert, the MFSO present some of classical music's favorite pieces of famous rhythms.  Included on the program are the Fifth Symphony of Beethoven, and the Bolero of Maurice Ravel:  famous rhythms, indeed.

The program will also feature the 1st and 2nd place winners of our young artists competition: violinists Samantha Carter (1st) and Zaneta Domblesky (2nd).

For more information or to order tickets, please see the MFSO web site.

Something a little different

Have you ever heard a performance by a choir of French horns?  If not, your chance is coming up.  And if you have, you know that the sound is lush and wonderful.

The Horn Choir led by Dr. Bruce Atwell, Professor of Music at UW-Oshkosh, will perform on Tuesday April 5 in the Music Hall on the campus.  In this concert, the choir will perform works by another famous French horn choir, the London Horn Sound.  This link is a YouTube clip of their recording of Tico-Tico.  What a great sound!

The concert is free.  Mark your calendar.  Enjoy the sound of a French horn choir!

Upcoming Concert: Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band

The MMCCB will perform Night On The Town at the Schwan Concert Hall on the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran College, beginning at 3PM on Sunday March 20.

While I do not have the program for the concert, the MMCCB concerts are always fun.  They are a great way to introduce students to the world of classical music.  And best of all, the admission is Free.

More information about the concert and the Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band can be found on their web site.

Upcoming Concert: Concord Chamber Orchestra

Mark Saturday evening March 12 on your calendar.  The Concord Chamber Orchestra will present Chrysalis at St. Matthew's Evangelical Lutheran Church on Wauwatosa Avenue in Wauwatosa, near Wauwatosa East High School.

This year's concerts celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Orchestra by presenting a retrospective of the music over those years.  This concert celebrates musical diversity, from the classic period to today, from Mozart to Samuel Barber to Jose Elizondo.

The concert will feature pianist Gregory Hartmann, winner of the 2016 Walter A. and Dorothy J. Oestreich Concerto Competition.  He will perform Piano Concerto number 1 of Franz Liszt.  This YouTube link will give you an idea of his talents.

The program also includes:

• Estampas Mexicanas • Elizondo
• Adagio for Strings • Barber
• Symphony No. 40 in G minor, KV. 550 • Mozart

For more information and to order tickets, please see the CCO web site.

Three Brass Bands in One Concert

Here is a special event:

Three Brass Bands in the area will come together for a joint concert:  the Chicago Brass Band, the Madison Brass Band, and the Milwaukee Festival Brass will join together for the second annual Brass At The Border!

All three groups are very accomplished.  All three groups will be performing wonderful music.  The format of the event was designed to foster goodwill, fellowship, and mutual support of each other.  Their goals are all the same:  keep the tradition of the Brass Band, which started over 150 years ago, alive in the US.

The concert will begin at 3 PM at the Milton High School at 114 W. High Street in Milton, WI.

Three groups in one concert....you don't want to miss this one!

Something new: The Lynx Project

I learned of a group of artists that will be performing in Milwaukee on Tuesday March 8:  The Lynx Project.  This group consists of graduates of the Eastman School of Music and their goal is to mix music with poetry, storytelling, dance, and other arts.  What a great concept!

Specifically, the Lynx Project will perform Tangled Webs, featuring music of Schubert, Schoenberg, and Mozart.  The concert begins at 7:30 at the North Short Congregational Church in Fox Point, on Santa Monica Drive between Calumet Road and Green Tree Road.  See their web site for all the details.

And don't forget the Milwaukee Festival Brass Concert on Saturday the 27th at the Performing Arts Center at Pius XI High School.  See you there.

Special News

It isn't often that I post news during the week, but I just received this news and it cannot wait!

A free concert is set for Wednesday March 16 at 7PM by the US Air Force Band of Mid-America Concert Band, to be held at the Marcus Center.  No tickets will be required; all you need to do is show up and enjoy the performance. 

The press release from the band gives this summary:

The Concert Band is a group of 45 professional musicians whose music inspires patriotism, connects communities with military service members and honors our country's veterans.

 

During a concert, you are just as likely to hear the music of contemporary composers as you would the familiar sounds of John Phillip Sousa or Maj. Glenn Miller. The band also features vocal soloists singing a wide variety of popular, classical and patriotic selections.

 

The concert will be enjoyable and appropriate for all ages.  These concerts are great for students who are just starting out and sometimes struggling with their instruments.  They hear a group like this perform, and they become more enthusiastic, practice harder, and then they improve.  Concerts like this can start that ball rolling for students.  And the best part is that the parents will enjoy the evening as well, with no dent to the wallet!

 

Mark your calendar.  You don't want to miss this one.

Concert Preview: Milwaukee Festival Brass

The next concert by the Milwaukee Festival Brass will be on Saturday February 27 at 7 PM at the Father Robert V. Carney Performing Arts Center in Pius XI High School, located at 135 N. 76th Street in Milwaukee, just north of I-94.  The program is entitled Virtuoso Brass.

Rather than my trying to summarize the program, here are some comments from the MFB Music Director Mark Taylor:


From its humble beginnings as a response to poor social conditions in the rapidly industrializing northern towns of 19th century England, the brass band has always been the people’s orchestra: an ensemble for the community. But with limited resources and little training, those early musicians had to perform the only music available for them, which was often parts for a symphony orchestra. Musical necessity became the mother of technical invention, and brass players quickly learned to play music that had originally been intended for the more nimble string or woodwind instruments. Fast forward to today, when brass bands around the world have a repertoire all their own, yet one that leans heavily on their legacy of being populated by some of the most accomplished amateur musicians in the world.

 That tradition continues in present day Milwaukee, when musicians from an incredibly diverse array of communities, professions, and generations meet weekly to form the Milwaukee Festival Brass.

The concert will open with Festmusik der Stadt Wien by Richard Strauss, a stirring fanfare originally written for a city-wide Viennese celebration. Two members of Milwaukee Festival Brass will be featured as soloists in tour-de-force performances, as euphoniumist David Meyer gives the Milwaukee-area premiere of Peter Graham’s In League With Extraordinary Gentlemen. Nathaniel Esten, a member of MFB’s High School Apprentice Program, will display his slide mastery in Tommy Dorsey’s swinging classic, Trombonology. The band’s newly named Assistant Conductor, Tyler Burmeister, will lead the band in a stirring British march, The Gladiator’s Farewell.  And the band will cap off its virtuosic demonstration with the hair-raising finale from Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4.


Tickets are $12, $9 for seniors and students, and group rates are available.  For more information, see the MFB website.

Young Artist Scholarship Competition coming up

The Lakeshore Symphonic Band will hold its annual Young Artist competition on Wednesday evening March 2.  Student musicians from area school bands are encouraged to audition.  The winner of the competition will perform a solo piece with the band at the LSB concert on Sunday May 22.  Previous winners come from all types of wind and percussion instruments.  This is a great opportunity for the budding musician.

Please see the LSB web site for all the details and the application.  Applicants must have all materials submitted by February 19.

Good luck to all!

Music Director needed

The Lakeshore Symphonic Band is in need of a new Music Director.  Mr. Clay Wacholz and his family have moved out of state.  Unfortunately, it occurred in the middle of the concert season.

The Lakeshore Symphonic Band performs the majority of their concerts in the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center at the high school.  They also hold a Young Artist Scholarship Competition every year, with the winner performing with the band in the spring. 

Applications are due by February 15th.  For all the details, please see the Lakeshore Symphonic Band web site.

Chamber music and Valentines Day

This week the news has been slow, but I can remind you of the Chamber Music concert set for Sunday the 31st.  The Concord Chamber Orchestra will present a wonderfully varied concert of chamber music at the North Shore Congregational Church in Fox Point beginning at 1:30.  And there will be no NFL game that day, so there is no conflict!  Get all the details from their web page.

And then there is the upcoming Valentines Dinner / Concerts presented by the Menomonee Falls Symphony on February 12 and 13 at the Silver Spring Country Club.  It is a great evening to spend with that special someone, but you do have to order tickets in advance.  For all the information and to order tickets, see the MFSO web site.

Chamber Music

It isn't very often that community music groups perform chamber music.  Usually when they do, it is one piece on a program.  That's why the next concert by the Concord Chamber Orchestra is special.  The entire concert is a collection of small chamber pieces put together by the orchestra members themselves.

The concert will be on Sunday January 31 at the North Shore Congregational Church in Fox Point, and it begins at 1:30 PM.  I must point out that the Super Bowl is the following week, so no football will be missed by attending the concert!

The music will be varied, from voice and bass clarinet, to string quartet, to octet.  Rather than listing all of the program details here, please check the Concord Chamber Orchestra web site for more information and to order tickets online.

And enjoy the concert!

Special Event for Valentines Weekend

The Menomonee Falls Symphony is hosting two Valentines Weekend dinner / concerts at the Silver Spring Country Club.  You can enjoy a wonderful buffet dinner and concert on Friday evening February 12 or Saturday evening February 13.  The doors open at 5:30 with dinner served at 6:30.  The concert begins after dinner.

The special guest of the MFSO will be vocalist Taryn Whipple. Taryn has had lead roles in numerous musical shows and is a frequently sought-after performer both locally and around the country.  Her performance with the orchestra will focus on the music of love, which comes with many intoxicating rhythms.

The MFSO will also have their very popular raffle baskets as a part of the fund-raising efforts.

The event is a lot of fun, the food is good, and the concert is a great conclusion to a wonderful evening.  For more information and to order tickets, please see the MFSO web site.

The upcoming concert calendar

Many of the community music groups are just restarting rehearsals.  As information becomes available, it will be posted here.  In the meantime, here is a calendar of concerts for the spring season of 2016.  Something for the refrigerator door!

January

·         Sun.  31  1:30 Concord Chamber Orchestra at Nicolet High School performing Chamber Music

February

·         Fri.  12  6:30 Menomonee Falls Symphony performing a dinner concert at the Silver Spring Country Club

·         Sat.  13  6:30 Menomonee Falls Symphony performing a dinner concert at the Silver Spring Country Club

·         Sat.  27  7:00  Milwaukee Festival Brass at Pius XI High School Performing Arts Center

·         Sun. 28  4:00 Lakeshore Symphonic Band at the Cedarburg Performing Arts Center

March

• Sat.  12  7:00  Concord Chamber Orchestra at St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Wauwatosa
•  Sat. 20 7:00 Milwaukee Metropolitan Community Concert Band at Wisconsin Lutheran College

April

·         Fri.  22  7:00 Greenfield Concert Band at Whitnall High School

·         Sat. 23  7:30 Menomonee Falls Symphony at the Sussex Hamilton Fine Arts Center

·         Fri. 29  7:30  Waukesha Area Symphonic Band at Carroll University

May

·         Sat.  21  7:00 Concord Chamber Orchestra at St. Matthew’s Evangelical Lutheran Church

·         Sun.  22  3:00  Milwaukee Festival Brass at Pius XI High School Performing Arts Center

·         Sun. 22  4:00 Lakeshore Symphonic Band at Cedarburg Performing Arts Center

·         Mon. 30 3:00 Wauwatosa Community Band performing a Memorial Day Observance at the Milwaukee