The Concord Band Celebrates Latin Rhythms, Dances, and Harmonies
The Concord Band presents Music From Warm Places on Saturday, March 8, 2025, 7:00 PM at the 51 Walden Performing Arts Center in Concord MA. Under the baton of Music Director James O’Dell, the program includes captivating works by Lewis Buckley, Nubia Jaime-Donjuan, Shelly Hanson, Terry White and Óscar Navarro.
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| Jerry Vabulas clarinet |
A highlight of the program is the Concerto for Clarinet and Wind Band by Spanish composer Óscar Navarro, masterfully performed by Acton resident Jerry Vabulas, an outstanding soloist and member of the Concord Band since 2012. Jerry has also soloed with Leominster Colonial Band, the Fitchburg Military Band, the Carlisle Chamber Orchestra, the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra and the Lincoln-Sudbury Civic Orchestra. Navarro’s composition displays the full range and virtuosity of the clarinet, along with extended delicate pianissimos and an irresistible touch of jazz.
Jaime-Donjuan’s four-movement Little Mexican Suite is based on traditional Mexican musical genres. Each movement is inspired by a species of tree native to Mexico that has touched the composer’s life. Volver A La Montaña (Return to the Mountain), by Shelly Hanson, is based on the folk music of the Quechua people of Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. Terry White’s Fantasia Latina, a composition commissioned by percussionist Neil Tischler that premiered in March 2020, is based on four Latin dance styles—tango, danzon, songo and samba—and is full of unexpected rhythmic and harmonic twists. Con Sabor Español (With a Spanish Flavor), composed by the MetWinds' former director, Lew Buckley, also features numerous rhythmic and time changes.
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| Area 9 Saxophone Quartet |
The evening also features a special guest performance by the distinguished Area 9 Saxophone Quartet playing Saxophone Quartet by Venezuelan composer and pianist Aldemaro Romero. Area 9 is a Boston-based ensemble committed to performing rich, diverse, and ever growing chamber music repertoire for saxophone. Its members, two of whom are also Concord Band musicians (*) , include Bennett Parsons (soprano), Cara Hachlen (alto), John Rabinowitz* (tenor) and Seychelle Corbin* (baritone).
Admission is free to the public; donations of $20 are requested. The Concord Band serves the Concord community and surrounding towns. Additional information about the Concord Band can be found at concordband.org, and for the Area 9 Saxophone Quartet at this link.
