Tuba Virtuoso Kenneth Amis to Perform

Guest Artist Ken Amis
tuba

In keeping with its long tradition of presenting outstanding guest soloists, the Concord Band is proud to feature tuba virtuoso Ken Amis at its Winter Concert on March 4th. Mr. Amis was born and raised in Bermuda. He began playing the piano at a young age and upon entering high school took up the tuba and developed an interest in performing and composing music. A Suite for Bass Tuba, composed when he was 15, marked his first published work. A year later, at age 16, he enrolled in Boston University where he majored in composition. After graduating from Boston University, he attended the New England Conservatory of Music where he earned a Masters Degree in composition.

Mr. Amis has been commissioned to write for the annual Cohen Wing opening at Symphony Hall in Boston, the Massachusetts Instrumental Conductors Association, the Belmont High School Symphonic Band, the Gardener High School Band, the New England Conservatory Wind Ensemble, and the College Band Directors National Association. Ken has composed a number of works for band including The Reckoning, Sinfonia Concertante, Grenadiers of Liberty, The Playground Ball, and Rondo alla Kolo.

As a tuba player, Mr. Amis has performed as a soloist with the English Chamber Orchestra and has been a member of the Tanglewood Festival Orchestra and the New World Symphony Orchestra. He has served on the faculties of Boston University, the Boston University Tanglewood Institute, and the Pacific Music festival in Japan. Ken is presently the tuba player of the Empire Brass and occupies the International Brass Chair at the Royal Academy of Music in London.

Trombonist Ronald Barron of BSO to Perform

Guest Artist Ronald Barron
trombone

Trombonist Ronald Barron will be the featured guest artist at the Concord Band's 40th Anniversary Concert on March 6, 1999. Mr. Barron has been the Principal Trombonist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra since 1975. He joined the BSO in 1970, after being a member of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. He also served as Principal Trombonist with the Boston Pops Orchestra for thirteen seasons. Mr. Barron is a graduate of the College Conservatory of Music of the University of Cincinnati, where he studied with Ernest Glover. In 1974, Ronald Barron shared the highest prize awarded at the Munich International Competition. Mr. Barron is a frequent soloist with the Boston Pops Orchestra and has appeared with a number of New England area orchestras and bands. He is currently a faculty member at Boston University and the Tanglewood Music Center. In addition to numerous recordings with the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops Orchestras, Mr. Barron has recorded and performed in concert with the Canadian Brass, the Empire Brass and the Summit Brass, and has three successful solo record ings.

Premier New Work by Composer Stephen Bulla

Stephen Bulla
Composer

Composer Stephen Bulla's most recent work, North Bridge Portrait, will be featured at the Concord Band's Winter Concert. The work, commissioned by the Band on the occasion of its 40th anniversary, is based upon authentic musical themes of the Amer ican Revolutionary period. Stephen Bulla received his degree in arranging and composition from Boston's Berklee College of Music, graduating magna cum laude. While at Berklee, Steve developed an interest in the commercial music field, eventually leading to his present schedule of full time composing and recording production. In 1980 Mr. Bulla joined "The President's Own" U. S. Marine Band and White House Orchestra as Staff Arranger. In that position he was responsible for the production of music that encompassed many styles and instrumental combinations, most of which were performed for Presidential functions and visiting dignataries. His musical arrangements for such per formers as Sarah Vaughan, the Manhattan Transfer, Mel Torme, and Doc Severinson have been featured on the PBS television series, "In Concert At The White House." Mr. Bulla's commissioned concert works include instrumental compositions that are performed and recorded internationally. The Dutch, British, and New Zealand Brass Band Championship organizations have all commissioned competition pieces from his pen.