Band to Premier Work by Thomas J. McGah

Thomas J. McGah

The Concord Band will be presenting the world premier of Boston composer Thomas J. McGah's newest work for concert Band, Suite of Irish Folksongs, at its upcoming fall Concert on October 28th. This suite is a five movement work based on Irish folksongs, some well known, others much less so. The five songs are "The Kerry Dance," "Cockles and Mussels," "O'Donnell Aboo!," "My Lagan Love," and "Johnny, I Hardly Knew Ye." In 1996, the Concord Band commissioned McGah to compose a work for narrator and band titled Reflections of Emerson which was premiered by the band at 51 Walden in Concord on March 2, 1996 with Peter Ross as narrator. The band also performed this work at the 1996 Boston Festival of Bands. In 1998, McGah was commissioned to compose Sunsets for soprano and band in memory of Carol Burdine, daughter of Bill and Nancy Burdine. This work was premiered at 51 Walden on November 7, 1998 with Donna Kearney as soprano soloist.

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.