Press Release

Concord Band to Celebrate 50th Anniversary with March 14th Gala Concert

Acton, Mass., January 17, 2009 — The Concord Band will celebrate its Fiftieth Anniversary with a gala concert on Saturday, March 14, 2009 at 8 PM in the auditorium of Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. The concert will be representative of what has made the Band one of the finest community bands in the country: a widely varied program of musical styles from classical to jazz, outstanding soloists, and the world premiere of a newly commissioned piece. Three music directors have spanned virtually the entire fifty-year history of the Band, and all three will be present to conduct parts of the concert.

The Concord Band is nationally known for its commissioned pieces. Since 1967, the Band has either commissioned or has had written for it nearly 70 new works for symphonic wind ensemble — possibly more than any other community band in the world. The March 14 concert will feature the world premiere of a newly commissioned work by composer Roger Cichy, who will conduct the performance. Flowing Pens from Concord is a four-movement composition based on the writings of four Concord authors: Nathaniel Hawthorne, Louisa May Alcott, Henry David Thoreau, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. The Band has recently performed other pieces by Mr. Cichy, including Colours and Fanfare for a Festive Day.

Music Director Emeritus William Toland will return for the concert. Mr. Toland directed the Band for more than 30 years and began the Band's long tradition of commissioning new music. He will open the concert with His Honor, a march by Henry Fillmore. Mr. Toland will also conduct Satiric Dances by Norman Dello Joio, the Band's first commission. Satiric Dances has since become a staple of the concert band repertoire and is frequently performed by high school, college, and community bands throughout the world.

Dr. William G. McManus is retiring after fourteen seasons as Music Director with the Band. To mark the occasion, he has chosen to conduct Alfred Reed's Armenian Dances, which was also on the first program he conducted with the Band. Dr. McManus will also be writing a new arrangement to feature jazz vocalist Amanda Carr, a frequent soloist with the Band.

The concert will mark the debut of the Band's new Music Director, James O'Dell, who will be conducting Malcolm Arnold's Four Scottish Dances and several other selections. A distinguished and versatile conductor, educator, and musician, Mr. O'Dell is also Associate Dean of The Boston Conservatory, and Associate and Principal Guest Conductor of the Metropolitan Wind Symphony.

Trumpet player and composer Lewis Buckley will lead the Concord Band and its Dixieland group in Dixieland Live!, which he arranged for the Band to premiere in April 2001. Mr. Buckley is also the Music Director of the Metropolitan Wind Symphony. The Band also regularly features soloists from among its many outstanding musicians. Nathanial Hefferman, Concord Band principal bassoonist, will be the featured soloist in the first movement of Mozart's Concerto in B-flat Major for bassoon.

The concert begins at 8:00 pm at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School at 36 Charter Road in Acton, Mass. on Saturday, March 14. Tickets are $15 each ($5 for students and seniors) and are available at the door.

The Concord Band, founded in 1959, is one of the leading community concert bands in the United States. It is well known for its innovative programming and the exceptional quality of its commissioned pieces. It presents both formal and Pops concerts throughout the year. Thousands attend its summer concerts at Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, Massachusetts, each year.

For additional information, contact Peter Norton, Concord Band Publicity. Visit our website at www.concordband.org.