Spotlight: Amanda Carr

Amanda Carr
jazz vocalist

As a vocalist, Amanda is an international recording and performing artist. She is a two-time Boston Music Awards Nominee, and her five jazz albums and live performances have received worldwide critical acclaim for her fresh interpretations of the Great American Songbook. The Wall Street Journal hailed her, "...a true jazz singer in a time of wannabes."

Amanda is a headlining artist at jazz festivals from the US to Italy to Australia. While Amanda performs jazz concerts with artists like Michael Feinstein, she continues to tap into her roots of pop, blues, folk & rock. Amanda is frequent guest vocalist with Keith Lockhart and The Boston Pops, The Artie Shaw Orchestra, Harry James Band and the Glenn Miller Orchestra and with many other artists and bands.

As a songwriter, Amanda has contributed original compositions to her own albums, for TV and film productions, and on-demand for private events. In 2014, she wrote the The Boston Anthem, sung by Boston rock luminary Charlie Farren and released as a single.

From 2012-2016, Amanda was the official CBS Radio color commentator for Boston's prestigious annual Boston Pops July 4th Fireworks Spectacular concert on the Esplanade. Amanda has appeared as a guest on the judging panel on the popular, long-running Community Auditions TV talent show. She traveled to China to represent the USA as a musical ambassador, performing hit songs by famous American pop artists in a series of theater shows.

Amanda is a music teacher, formally educated, and has taught in a variety of academic settings. She currently offers specialized, private instruction: Vocal Lessons, Pop Vocal Ensemble, Jazz Vocal Ensemble, Beginning Piano, and Songwriting. Amanda is an accomplished and in-demand mobile DJ and Master of Ceremonies at private events throughout New England.

With five jazz vocal recordings, Amanda continues to perform as a solo artist while remaining a popular guest artist and guest host. A former Executive Director of WICN Public Radio in Worcester, MA,  she is currently a managing partner at Music Management talent agency, Boston.

Spring Pops! with Amanda Carr

In Tribute

Winter Concert

Saturday, March 4, 2023 • 8:00 pm
James O’Dell, Music Director and Conductor

Link to Livestream

Program
Trumpet Trio Richard Given, Cindy Blanchard, Robert Pettipaw
Fanfare for St Edmundsbury	Benjamin Britten
The Concord Band
El Camino Real	Alfred Reed arr. Robert Longfield
Elegy	William McManus
Saxophone Quartet David Southard, soprano; John Rabinowitz, alto; Judy Piermarini, tenor; Seychelle Corbin, baritone
The Way You Look Tonight	Jerome Kern arr. Kenneth Abeling
Peace	David Maslanka
Caravan	Duke Ellington arr. Ed Puddick
The Concord Band
Masque	Francis McBeth
Intermission
Horn Quartet Kathryn Denney, Jean Patterson, Casandra LaRochelle, Laura Bünger
Eternal Father God to Save	William Whiting arr. Claude T. Smith
The Concord Band
Chorale and Alleluia	Howard Hanson
Flute Choir Katie Hock, piccolo; Roberta Nicoletta, first; Ellen Feldman, second; Kris Bankuti, third; Laura Finkelstein, alto; Debbie Franks, bass
By Kells Waters	arr. Kelly Via
The Concord Band
Tribute	David Gorham
Celtic Farewell	Michael Sweeney
Amy McGlothlin, Bagpipes
A Bernstein Tribute	arr. Clare Grundman

View program notes...

El Camino Real: A Latin Fantasy

El Camino Real: A Latin Fantasy is based on a series of chord progressions common to countless generations of Spanish flamenco (and other) guitarists, whose fiery style and brilliant playing have captivated millions of music lovers throughout the world. These progressions and the resulting key relationships have become practically synonymous with what we feel to be the true Spanish idiom. Together with the folk melodies they have underscored, in part derived by a procedure known to musicians as the "melodizing of harmony," they have created a vast body of what most people would consider authentic Spanish music. (Source; Alfred Reed)

Elegy

William McManus composed Elegy in memory of William M. Toland, Music Director of the Concord Band from 1962-1995. The work opens with a solemn memorial theme played by solo trumpet accompanied by timpani, one of the many percussion instruments played by William Toland. After a brief transition section, clarinets and flutes introduce a hymn-like life-celebrating theme. Following several statements of this melody, the percussion section is featured with the timpani now playing a motive from the opening memorial theme accompanied by snare drum, bass drum and cymbals.  This section leads to a majestic restatement of the celebration theme by the full band. The work closes as it began with the memorial theme played by solo trumpet, but this time accompanied by a tolling chime.

Masque

Masque by Francis McBeth is in a contemporary idiom familiar to followers of concert band music—not unusually experimental but nevertheless making use of twentieth-century devices. For example, Masque uses a variety of percussion instruments, has nontraditional harmonies, and makes use of short motifs for melodic interest. Two themes serve as the basic material for the entire piece; one is rhythmic, being heard only in the fast sections, and the other is a melodic three-note motif, which is developed during the entire course of the work. (Source; UNC, Greensboro, University Band concert program, 3 October 2016)

Chorale and Alleluia

Chorale and Alleluia was completed in January 1954, and was Dr. Howard Hanson's first work for symphonic band. The composition opens with a fine flowing chorale. Soon the joyous Alleluia theme appears and is much in evidence throughout. A bold statement of a new melody makes its appearance in lower brasses in combination with the above themes. The effect is one of cathedral bells, religious exaltation, solemnity, and dignity. The music is impressive, straightforward, and pleasingly non-dissonant, and its resonance and sonority are ideally suited to the medium of the modern symphonic band. (Source; Carl Fischer Music)

Tribute

Tribute by David Gorham opens with solemn and respectful material, the piece is both moving and expressive. As the work unfolds, the mood gradually ascends, almost visibly brightening, creating an uplifting feeling of hope and triumph. This wonderfully musical work will enhance any program with its expressive qualities that remind the listener of the strength of the human spirit to endure. (Source; Publisher)

Celtic Farewell

Music has the power to help us heal after the loss of loved ones. In Celtic Farewell composer Michael Sweeney combines the beloved traditional Scottish ballad “The Parting Glass” with an original melody to create a beautifully paced and sensitive musical memorial. A key element of this work is the use of highland bagpipes that adds to the Celtic flavor. (Source; Pepper Music Company)

A Bernstein Tribute

In A Bernstein Tribute, arranger Clare Grundman pays musical tribute to one of the greatest composers and musical personalities of our time. This colorful medley offers a wonderful opportunity to enter the world of Leonard Bernstein. Grundman's skillful adaptation includes excerpts from West Side Story (Prologue; Somewhere; Scherzo; Mambo), On The Town (The Great Lover; Times Square: 1944; Lonely Town), and excerpts from the Overture to Candide. (Source: Publisher)