BY TOM LAVIS
TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM
Johnstown audiences will notice one major change when the River City Brass Band raises the curtain on the 2009-10 season on Sept. 13.
The Pittsburgh-based band will begin auditions for candidates to fill the shoes of retired musical director and conductor Denis Colwell.
Despite his departure, Colwell’s presence will be felt throughout the seven upcoming performances since he provided the framework for each show.
All concerts will be presented at 3 p.m. at the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center on the Pitt-Johns-town campus in Richland Township.
After 15 years and more than 1,300 concerts, Colwell conducted his final concert during the band’s season finale on May 10 at the Pasquerilla center.
Colwell will continue as associate professor of music at Carnegie Mellon University, where he is music director of the Carnegie Mellon Wind Ensemble.
Under his leadership, the River City Brass Band regional concert series has expanded to include 56 concerts in eight locations throughout western Pennsylvania.
He also was instrumental in the expansion of the band’s national touring schedule, playing more than 60 concerts each year as part of the college’s performing artists series, symphony pops concerts and musical festivals.
“Several candidates will be given auditions to conduct the band, but no deadline has been set to name Denis’ replacement,” said Dan Lagiovane, the band’s director of marketing.
“Assistant Director Drew Fennell also will handle some of the conducting chores as he has done in the past.”
Colwell told the Johnstown audience it was time for him to move on.
“There are many projects that I want to do including arranging and building a guest-conductor career,” Colwell said.
“It is very hard to do that while still leading the band for around 100 concerts a year.”
But before leaving, Colwell titled the first show in the upcoming season: “And the Band Played On.”
The initial concert will feature Philip Sparke’s masterful “Music for Battle Creek,” the centerpiece of the show.
“We will also feature the talents of some favorite River City Brass Band soloists on thrilling showpieces like Joseph Turrin’s ‘Escapade,’ Bernstein’s ‘Somewhere’ and ‘Misty’ by Pittsburgh’s own Erroll Garner,” Lagiovane said.
While the series doesn’t have a formal theme, listeners will get a sense of exploration as the band takes them to various locations around the world musically.
“Oktoberfest” will be presented Oct. 4 as the audience will be transported to Germany and Austria to celebrate the world-famous festival of food, fun, drink and music.
The program will feature old-world favorites from Handel and Brahams to Johann Strauss, Franz Lehar and Kurt Weill.
Listeners will return to the United States as the band performs “America Classics” Nov. 8.
The all-American concert will have a red, white and blue theme.
“There is some patriotic music here, but we are saluting the best America has to offer in such Gershwin’s ‘Porky & Bess’ and Charles Ive’s ‘Variation on America,’ ” Lagiovane said.
Other selections will feature compositions by Arthur Pryor, William Schuman, Martin Gould and Leonard Bernstein.
That is followed by one of the band’s most popular concerts, “The Bells of Christmas” on Dec. 6.
It’s an early present to welcome the holiday season with old and new favorites.
“Appalachian Spring”on March 7 will focus on Appalachian music traditions that have remained unchanged for generations.
“This music is timeless American folk music,” Lagiovane said.
Aaron Copeland’s “Appalachian Spring” highlights the program, which also includes James Curnow’s “Appalachian Mountain Folk Song Suite,” a few Stephen Foster favorites and some forgotten classics.
On April 11, listeners will enjoy “Close Enough for Jazz” as they take a trip down memory lane with a show featuring many of the best tunes from the jazz, swing and big-band songbooks.
“This is a perennial audience favorite, and a must-hear concert,” Lagiovane said.
And for those folks looking to escape from the pressures of everyday life, the band will help audience members join a circus for a day when they present “Cirque Du Brass Band” on May 2.
The concert includes music from the golden age of the circus when there was a brass band under every big top.
Tickets range in price from $19 to $23, but are not available as yet.
Season passes are available by calling (800) 292-7222.
Tickets will be available at the door prior to each performance.
New season
What: River City Brass Band.
Where: Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center, Pitt-Johnstown campus, Richland Township.
Schedule: Sept. 13: “And The Band Played On.”
Oct. 4: “Oktoberfest.”
Nov. 8: “American Classics.”
Dec. 6: “The Bells Of Christmas.”
March 7: “Appalachian Spring.”
April 11: “Close Enough for Jazz.”
May 2: “Cirque Du Brass Band.”
Events
Conductor retires, but River City Brass plays on
- Events
-
-
Crafters to offer one-of-a-kind items in New Germany
The picnic grounds at New Germany Grove will be transformed into a mecca for craft shoppers during the 25th annual New Germany Arts and Crafts Festival. The two-day festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 18 and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 19 at the picnic grounds, 1635 New Germany Road, Summerhill.
-
Habitually hilarious series stages third sequel
In the latest of the sinfully funny “Late Nite Catechism” series, Sister is now offering hilarious lessons on the sacraments of marriage and the last rites.
Sister will be in front of her third catechism class during a session at Mountain Playhouse in Jennerstown. Sister is Kimberly Richards, Pittsburgh-born and California-raised, who will star in the one-woman show, “ ’Til Death Do Us Part: Late Nite Catechism 3.” The third in a series of “Late Nite Catechism” productions opens today and continues through Sept. 19. -
Events | Neighborhood party
Cambria City Ethnic Festival will be held from 4 to 10 p.m. today, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday and noon to 9 p.m. Sunday along Chestnut Street in the Cambria City section of Johnstown.
-
Soul music | Annual gospel festival to feature continuous praise
Good news will be proclaimed continuously when the 25th annual Fall Harvest Gospel Music Festival is held Friday through Monday at Camp Harmony, 1414 Plank Road, Hooversville. Singing will begin at 7 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday through Monday.
-
Something for everyone | More than 100 vendors will offer crafts during Log House Arts Festival
The Log House Arts Festival will be at full capacity as 110 vendors set up shop for the 40th edition at Community Arts Center of Cambria County. The festival has a reputation of offering matchless crafts, bountiful food, live entertainment and children’s activities.
-
Crafts, fireworks, games highlight annual jubilee
For the 22nd year, an area festival will bring family fun. The 2010 Forest Hills Labor Day Weekend Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 6. at Berwind Wayside Festival Park grounds on Locust Street in St. Michael.
-
Cars in the city | Mopar club schedules annual show Sept. 4
Cruisin’ the Flood City has become an event that stands on its own. The third annual car show sponsored by Laurel Highlands Mopar Club will be held at noon Sept. 4 along Main and Locust streets in downtown Johnstown.
-
Events | True-life drama
“Tuesdays With Morrie” will be onstage Thursday through Sept. 11 at Cresson Lake Playhouse, 279 Shapiro Road, near Loretto. Curtain times are 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, with a matinee at 2 on Sept. 5. The drama is the true story of journalist Mitch Albom and his former college professor, Morrie Schwartz, a terminally ill man facing his own mortality.
-
Shepherding a cycle rally | Organizers of Dog Gone Run expecting up to 5,000 enthusiasts in Windber
Good times are about to be unleashed as the initial Dog Gone Run motorcycle rally rolls into action Sept. 10-11 in Windber. A preregistration party featuring a street dance and refreshments will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Windber Community Building, 1605 Graham Ave.
-
Kernville readies for block party, street fair
It has been said that it takes a village to raise a child, and this village is taking care of its own. Village Day, a block party and back-to-school street fair, will be held from 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 11 on Somerset Street in the Kernville section of Johnstown, centering around Christ Centered Community Church.
- More Events Headlines
-
Crafters to offer one-of-a-kind items in New Germany
