Dear Friends: Well, we’ve weathered the snow and ice and are now back to rain – but regardless, the Corvallis Community Band is growing and rehearsing and getting ready for o very attractive Spring concert – on Sunday, March 16, at 2 PM, in the auditorium at the Ashbrook School. The title of the concert is “American Landscapes.”
Take a musical journey with us across the United States from East to West. We’ll lead off with a wonderful version of “Shenandoah,” a familiar folk song that reminds us of the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. This will be followed by “The Great Locomotive Chase,” that depicts the events of the Andrews Raid of 1862, in which Union raiders seized a Confederate train in north Georgia during the Civil War.. “Ashokan Farewell,” is next. You’ll recognize this lovely melody if you watched Ken Burns’ Civil War series. It actually comes from upstate NewYork. “The Lighthouse Keeps Watch,” was written about a lighthouse in South Haven, a coastal community along Lake Michigan, and the composer’s favorite vacation spot. The first half of the concert willl end with an arrangement of themes from “The Grand Canyon Suite” by Ferde Grove If you’ve ever been there, these these will bring up for visions of your visit.
The remainder of the concert heads out West; Aaron Copeland’s “An Outdoor Overture,” will open this half of the program. A grandiose fanfare opens the work that will take you on a musical outdoor adventure. “Rogue River” and “Pacific Crest” will take you on a trip down the Rogue River, and a hike along the Pacific Crest trail. We’ll conclude in Alaska at the famous dogsled race, “Iditarod.”
Most of this music is new to us – and to you – but it is so exciting and descriptive, that I think you’ll be able to sit back and let your imagination take you to the places the music depicts.
As always the concert is free. Band members have been asked to park across the street by the OSU Gymnastics facility, so adequate parking should be available.
We hope to see you at Ashbrook for “American Landscapes.”
Sue
We value our “friends” who come to our concerts in the summer and throughout the year. We have an e-mail list to inform you about what we are doing and what volunteer opportunities we have.
E-mail List
We send out a newsletter approximately once a month, with a calendar of our concerts and information about the band. During the summer, the newsletters are a little more frequent, since we play so many concerts in June, July, and August.
If you would like to be on that list to receive Community Band News, please send your request to Sue Borden (sueborden@comcast.net). We’d like to know your mailing address and phone number, as well as your e-mail address, but the only really necessary information is your email address.
Volunteer Opportunities
From time to time, we need non-band members to help us with tasks that we often can’t do ourselves. Here’s a list of some of those:
- Ushering at indoor concerts during the academic year
- Managing sales of Band items at concerts (both summer and winter)
- Marketing – distribution of posters
- Publicity – speaking about the band at club meetings
- Expertise – help with fundraising, marketing, logistics, sound, lights
If you would like to volunteer, please contact Sue Borden (e-mail address above) who will put you in touch with our volunteer coordinator, or put you to work directly. We are always open to ideas you have, so don’t hesitate to contact us.