Saturday, May 23, 2020

Concord Band Brass Quintet Goes Virtual

Concord Band Virtual Brass Quintet

In mid-April, a few weeks after The Concord Band had been forced to suspend rehearsals due to the COVID-19 pandemic, trumpeter Cindy Blanchard began looking around for musicians to play with virtually. She recruited brass players from the Band, and soon a virtual brass quintet was formed. Rich Given joined Cindy on trumpet, Cam Owen on horn, Peter Norton on trombone, and Chi-Sun Chan on tuba.

The group chose Die Bänkelsängerlieder, a classic in brass quintet literature by an anonymous 17th century itinerant musician (a bänkelsänger or "bench singer"). Ken Troup, President of the Band, helped connect the quintet with Bryce Denney (former Band member and husband of Band horn player Kathryn Troup Denney), who provided the technical expertise needed make the separate recordings and combine them into one performance.

Bryce coached the group on how to prepare their individual recordings, and Rich and Sun provided practice tracks to get everyone playing at the same tempo and in the same style. After some test runs, Bryce combined and edited the audio and video to create the final version. This is a time-consuming process, and the quintet would like to thank Bryce for his time, dedication, and expertise! The Concord Band would like to thank them all for a splendid gift.

If you enjoy the quintet and the Concord Band, consider making a donation to the Band to keep it going during these uncertain times.

Friday, May 15, 2020

Festival de Música Española Audio Recordings

Winter 2020 Concert Poster
Winter Concert 2020 Poster

TitleComposerAudio
El RelicarioJosé Padilla
Carmen SuiteGeorges Bizet; trans. Buckley
1. Les Toréadors
2. Habanera
4. Nocturne
5. Danse Bohéme
Volver a la MontañaShelley Hanson
La Mezquita de CórdobaJulie Giroux
Amparito RocaJamie Texidor;
arr. Winter
Fantasia LatinaTerry White
Saxophone QuartetAldemaro Romero
Fandango
Choro y Tango
La Bamba de Vera CruzTerig Tucci;
arr. Hunsberger

Friday, May 1, 2020

How to Donate to the Concord Band

QR code links to
PayPal Donate Page
The Concord Band is a volunteer group of musicians with a professional music director. We pay rent for our home at 51 Walden Performing Arts Center. We are fortunate to have been awarded small Cultural Council grants to support our summer program at Fruitlands Museum in Harvard. We would like to continue to bring you the best in symphonic wind band music and soloists for our Pops concerts. But less than half of the Band's ongoing operating expenses are covered by event income; the remainder is funded by donors like you.
The Concord Band is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and now we’ve made it easier than ever to donate. You can use your cell phone to scan a QR code for mobile donations; you can visit our websites at www.concordband.org or blog.concordband.org and use the Donate button to donate securely via PayPal, credit or debit card; or, you can mail a check to The Concord Band, PO Box 302, Concord, MA 01742. And of course we welcome employer matching contributions!