Our first concert at the James Center is May 19th, at 3PM see you all there!

Press Release for the Sequim City Band Concert May 19th, 2013

Have you noticed the recent sunshine and [...]]]> The calendar has flipped to May and that means it’s the start of our outdoor concert season!

Our first concert at the James Center is May 19th, at 3PM see you all there!

Press Release for the Sequim City Band Concert May 19^th, 2013

Have you noticed the recent sunshine and temperatures venturing above the 60-degree mark? Well that can only mean one thing- the Sequim City Band will be moving outdoors!

Please join the SCB for their first open air concert of the season on Sunday, May 19^th at 3pm in the James Center For the Performing Arts. This state of the art band shell is located near the Water Reuse Demonstration Site in Carrie Blake Park.

Under the excellent direction of Tyler Benedict, the Band will present another fabulous program of music from the 40’s and 50’s to celebrate Sequim’s Centennial.  Our guest announcer will be Valerie Lape, well known to community members for her vocal contributions to the Peninsula Singers and stage productions all over the Peninsula.

After the opening “Star Spangled Banner,” the Band will perform the very fitting “Centennial Overture” by John Cacavas. This is a brilliant fanfare type overture designed as a showcase for symphonic band. The SCB will do more than justice to the rich harmonies and flowing melodic lines. All sections of the band have a chance to shine and set the tone for the rest of the concert.  Incidentally, Cacavas is an American composer probably best known for his television scores, most notably “Kojak.”

“The Theme From Schindler’s List” by John Williams was composed for the 1993 movie about a German businessman who saved the lives of over a thousand Polish-Jewish refugees during the Holocaust.  Itzhak Perlman was hired by Williams to play the main theme on violin. Bob Golightly will play with the hauntingly beautiful melody with just as much soulful emotion on clarinet. The film won an Academy Award for Best Original Score among other categories.

“A Copland Portrait” is a musical collage of iconic American Composer Aaron Copeland’s most beautiful and recognizable pieces. These include the brass and percussion heavy “Fanfare for the Common Man,” composed in 1942 to honor the role of the common man in World War II.  Copeland wrote ballet music for famous dance troupes and choreographers alike. “Saturday Night Waltz” from “Rodeo” and the well-known Pulitzer Prize winning “Appalachian Spring” will be featured. The medley concludes with rousing boot stomping, skirt twirling cowboy dance music from “Buckaroo Holiday” and “Hoe-Down.”

Another famous American composer of the era was Leroy Anderson. He produced many short, light concert pieces, many of which were introduced by the Boston Pops Orchestra under the direction of Arthur Fiedler. The SCB will play his “Blue Tango,” composed in 1951. This quickly rose to the Best Seller Chart on 12/21/1951 and remained there for 38 weeks.  The irresistible theme will have the audience scrambling to sign up for tango lessons!

In contrast to the relaxed and sensual tango tempo is Jerry Bilik’s “Block M” Concert March. The lightening fast tempo begins with the first few notes. Adding to the complexity of the music are the sudden drops in volume and swooping crescendos. Marches are the signature of the SCB and this piece will show you why.

“Swings the Thing”, arranged by Warren Barker again contrasts sharply with the previous piece. Here, several Big Band jazz standards will get toes tapping and fingers snapping. Enjoy “Night Train,” “I’ve Heard That Song Before” and “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore.”

“Sequim Centennial March” is our very own celebratory music composed expressly for the Sequim City Band by local composer Karl Bach. Karl wrote this piece to help the band commemorate 100 years of the city as well as 21 years of the SCB. How unique and special to have a Birthday tune written and performed by local musicians! When Karl is not composing, he is directing the Port Townsend Summer Band and playing percussion in the Port Townsend Community Orchestra.

“Selections From Carousel” by Oscar Hammerstein and Richard Rodgers showcases the Band’s Broadway music capabilities. This was the famous team’s second musical, after the spectacularly successful “Oklahoma.” From the magical depiction of the carousel in the overture to the moving melody of “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” this musical remains timeless and memorable.

Concluding the concert will be “Emblem of Unity,” a Concert March by J.J. Richards. This is one of the all-time great marches played by hundreds of school and professional bands each year. A Welsh-born musician, the composer moved to the U.S. at age 4 and went on to write over 300 compositions for concert and circus bands. May this glorious march be an emblem of our unity in celebrating 100 years of Sequim.

As always, the SCB concerts are free of charge. Come with a lawn chair, sun (or rain) protection, and be prepared to experience a gem of the community.

Conducting our concert will be Mr. Tyler Benedict. Tyler was recently chosen to serve as the 2013 Assistant Musical Director. He is an accomplished tuba player, holds a Bachelor of Music Education and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington and a Masters in Music Conducting from Southern Oregon University. He performs in several local music groups including the Port Angeles Symphony.

The Sequim City Band is made up of over 60 volunteers from Clallam and Jefferson Counties. They rehearse every Monday evening at the Swisher Rehearsal Hall at The James Center For The Performing Arts. This beautiful band-shell is located at 563 N. Rhodefer Road in the Water Reuse Demonstration Site north of Carrie Blake Park.

Summer concerts are monthly in the outdoors between May and September. With a nod to Sequim’s weather, there are two indoor concerts at the high school in March and October.

Tyler Benedict warms up the Sequim City band before the March concert

Our season continues May 19th with a [...]]]> Thank you to all who came to our first concert of the 2013 season last Sunday.We were happy to treat you with some great music and get you excited for the rest of the year!

Tyler Benedict warms up the Sequim City band before the March concert

Our season continues May 19th with a concert at the James Center bandshell.  Continuing with the theme of the Sequim Centennial, we will be performing pieces written in or about the decades of the 1930′s – 1940′s.

Can’t wait to see you all out in the park!