The Brassroots

INSIDER

Vol. 13, Issue 2 • November 2017

“Inspiring a Love of Music”

www.brassroots.caCharitable registration #130746993 RR0001

Newsletter design and layout by Nikki Attwell Communications • www.nikkiattwell.ca

From our music directorBram GregsonAT THE OCTOBER MEETING of our Board, David Ennis was elected to succeed Dave Davidson who had served as Chair since Spring 2011. John Monkhouse, our principal trombone, was elected as Vice-Chair. Dave had navigated Brassroots through a difficult time in the past two years. We thank him for his leadership. There are challenges ahead but we are confident that under the dynamic leader-ship of David Ennis, Brassroots’ adsministration will enable the fulfillment of our mission – Inspiring a love of music.

David has already brought refreshing ideas to the Board. We know, too, that John will be a strong voice, exactly what is needed for the successful administration and operations of our organization.

In our last concert, we featured the first performance of A Little Russian Circus. It seemed to make quite an impression. So we are delighted that, in the last few days, we received a generous donation to purchase new music. Nothing excites musicians more than the opportunity to perform new charts. Accordingly, our Christmas concert will open with another new work for organ and brass — “Pikes Peak Overture” — by American church organist Brian Pfoltner. Although it is not music associated with Christmas, it will be an impressive opener for the concert. Stephen Holowitz will be at the organ and we are delighted that he will direct the choir of St James Westminster Anglican Church for our sixth annual collaboration Christmas at Westminster.

Other new additions to our Christmas repertoire will include “Christmas Carousel”, “Gaudete”, a 16th century Carol, a jolly arrangement of “I Saw Three Ships” and the Latin rhythms of “Cuban Jingle Bells”. As usual, festive fan-fares and carols will feature prominently and “The Twelve Days of Christmas” and “Huron Carol” will round off our contribution to the program.

Two exceptional concerts will complete our 2017–18 sea-son. Firstly, Three Keyboards will join us in February. Their appearance with Brassroots in 2015 was acclaimed as one of our top concerts. Imagine—pipe organ, piano, electric keyboard, Hammond Organ, accordion and maybe an har-monica blending with the brilliance of brass mostly in Latin rhythms. Secondly, our special guest for the April concert is Karen Donnelly, principal trumpet of the National Arts Centre Orchestra. I remember so well my first rehearsal with Karen. It was a few years ago (with Intrada Brass ) when she played the Scottish folk song “My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose.” I was so impressed by her artistry.

I have been conducting brass ensembles for fifty years. When someone wanted to audition, often they came pre-pared to dazzle with their technique. I would ask him/her to play a simple melody. Their performance of that melody—and its emotional impact—would tell me all I needed to know!

I have been known to say in rehearsal, “It’s not the notes, it’s the way you connect them!” Well, Karen knows how to connect the notes! The proof will be in “Yesterday,” one of the Beatles most beautiful songs and two virtuoso solos, “Napoli” and “Zelda.” We hope that not only brass enthusiasts but also many others will come to hear one of Canada’s premier trumpet players.

That’s next year! For now, on behalf of our Board and musicians, we wish everyone a Merry Christmas. And by the way, if you are able to attend our Christmas concert, please join us in the post concert reception. Have a glass of fruit punch and a couple of the delights prepared by the ladies of the church. Chat with us—our guys are so shy! And if you believe that...

Cheers, Bram

How is it that music can, without words, evoke our laughter, our tears, our highest

aspirations? — Jane Swan

Our two most recent CDs are available on ITunes, Amazon and CDbaby. You can download an entire CD for $9.49 or an individual track for $0.99. BUT these are US dollars! You can buy each of these CDs from us for $10 CAN. The CDs are available at our concerts. Surely much better to have the tac-tile pleasure of owning these acclaimed CDs.What a great Christmas gift for someone who has never heard Brassroots!

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THE BRASSROOTS INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2017

Desert Island DiscsWhat would you take?DESERT ISLAND DISCS is a popular BBC radio program that has been running for maybe fifty years or more. Well-known guests are interviewed and asked to name some of their favorite music. We thought it would be fun to ask our guys for the music they would take to a desert island.

Tony Snyder1. James Taylor — Greatest Hits

James Taylor was one of my earliest influences as a guitar player.

2. Boss Brass — Big Band Jazz, Porgy and Bess Suite Two of my high school colleagues went on to play in Rob McConnell’s band. We were all Boss Brass fans in our teens.

3. Stravinsky Firebird Complete Ballet, performed by OSM Montreal/Dutoit Awestruck at how such an abstract piece of music could be played with supreme clarity and precision.

4. Supertramp — Breakfast in America Music from my final year of High School; also clever album cover art.

5. Mozart Piano Concerto No. 22, Alfred Brendel, Academy of St Martin in the Fields One of my earliest classical musical memories is this concerto playing over my father’s stereo.

6. Mozart Horn Concerto No. 3, James Sommerville, CBC Vancouver Orchestra Jamie, a colleague from my first two years at Western’s Faculty of Music, plays this better than any other horn player. Every trill is approached and resolved uniquely and perfectly.

7. Brahms Ein Deutsches Requiem, Berlin Philharmonic, Rundfunk Choir Pure comfort for the loss we all experience in life.

8. The Beatles — Abbey Road, final six tracks The last six tracks run continuously and are Lennon and McCartney at their finest. George Harrison, although never a show-off, displays just what a virtuosic guitar-ist he is throughout the album.

9. Dvorak Wind Serenade, Oslo Philharmonic Dvorak touches the heart like none other. This is sub-lime playing by the Oslo Soloists.

10. Brassroots — “Someone to Watch over Me” A great arrangement by Jeff Christmas that showcases Julia Vaughan’s lyrical playing.

Our Board of Directors

David Ennis CHAIRPERSON AND SECRETARY,

DEVELOPMENT OFFICER — GRANTS

David’s background includes ten years of teaching second-ary school music after graduating from the University of Western Ontario. He played bassoon and contrabassoon in the Ottawa Civic Orchestra during this period but became increasingly interested in organizational leadership. He served as an elementary school principal for thirty years and retired in June 2016. Although his background is in woodwinds, David is a great lover of brass music and is committed to supporting Brassroots.

Monkhouse, John VICE CHAIRPERSON

Follows, Susan TREASURER/MUSIC RESEARCH

Monkhouse, Anne AD HOC, DIRECTOR – EX OFFICIO

Inch, Rob TRANSPORTATION CONVENER

Scott, Stephanie DIRECTOR OF DONATIONS

Sterner, Brent WEBMASTER

Smithers, Gloria CONCERT MANAGER

Vaughan, Julia LIBRARIAN, PERSONNEL MANAGER

Gregson, Bram EX OFFICIO, MUSIC DIRECTOR

Baker, Paul EX OFFICIO, DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT – MARKETING

ASPIRATIONS & RELIEF —

DAVID ENNIS (LEFT) SUCCEEDS

DAVE DAVIDSON AS CHAIR

Criticism and Critics

Wagner’s music is better than it sounds MARK TWAIN

I play works by contemporary composers for one reason—to discourage them from writing any more ATTRIBUTED TO JASCHA HEIFITZ

Wagner had some wonderful moments but awful half-hours GIOACCHINO ROSSINI

A critic is a legless man who teaches running CHANNING POLLOCK

A critic is a person who knows the way but can’t drive the car KENNETH TYNAN

A critic is a man created to praise greater men than him-self but can never find them

RICHARD LA GALLIENNE

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THE BRASSROOTS INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2017

AcknowledgementsAt the end of another year we thank:

¡ Our dedicated volunteers. ¡ St. James Westminster Anglican Church; in particular

Stephen Holowitz, Sarah Mills and Rebekah Reid. ¡ Fanshawe Chorus London for the loan

of large percussion equipment. ¡ We appreciate for many years,

operating grants from London Arts Council.

Ticket prices are unchanged from last season!INDIVIDUAL CONCERTS Adults $25; Seniors $20; Students with ID $5; children 12 and under free with a paid adult admission

Tickets are available from gloriabrassroots@gmail.com, through OnStage Direct or from Tuckey Home Hardware in Wortley Village.

Preview of final two concerts in our 2017–18 seasonAre they on your calendar?

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2018 | 7:30 PM

Brassroots Goes Latinwith Three Keyboards: Angus, Peter, Stephen

Angus Sinclair is the organist of St. Paul’s cathedral. Peter Clements was Professor of Music Theory and Composition at the University of Western Ontario where he was also Associate Dean for fifteen years. Stephen Holowitz is Director of Music at St. James Westminster Anglican Church and teaches music at A.B. Lucas Secondary School.

These three talented musicians and keyboard artists combine with Brassroots in Peter’s arrangements of:

“Solace – A Mexican Serenade” by Scott Joplin (1868-1917)“Greenwich” by Astor Piazzola (1921-1992)

and “Espana” by Chick Corea, based on the arrangement by Jeff Christmas

Brassroots’ selections will include:“Juanear” by Jim Rattigan, English french horn jazz artist“Malaguena” by Ernesto Lecuona, (1865-1963) Cuban com-poser /pianist, arr. by Stuart Malcolm

“Tango De Buenos Aires” by Keiron Anderson, Scottish trumpet player/conductor

“Tea for Two” by Vincent Youmans (1898-1946) American Broadway composer, a Tango arrangement by Mike Hext.

And there will also be some surprises from Three Keyboards!

SATURDAY APRIL 21, 2018 | 7:30 PM

In Praise of the Trumpetfeaturing Karen Donnelly, trumpet, in virtuoso solosFollowing three successful sea-sons (1996-1999) as Acting Principal Trumpet of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Karen Donnelly was unani-mously appointed Principal Trumpet in October 1999, and continues to enjoy each year with that wonderful ensemble.

A native of Regina, SK, Karen picked up a trumpet for the first time in her elementary school band pro-gram and she was hooked. Her formal training includes a Bachelor of Arts in Music program at the University of Regina and later a Master’s of Music from McGill University.She held the position of Principal Trumpet with Orchestra London (Canada) from 1994-1996.

Karen will perform:“Zelda” by Percy Code (1888-1953), Australian Trumpeter“Napoli” by Herman Bellstedt (1858-1926) American trum-pet virtuoso

“Yesterday” by Paul McCartney / John Lennon (1940-1980) Brassroots trumpets in:

“Bugler’s Holiday” by Leroy Anderson (1908-1975), American composer of light music

“Trumpet Blues and Cantabile” by Harry James (1916-1983), American Band Leader and trumpeter.and two outstanding compositions for brass ensemble:Homage to the Noble Grape by Goff Richards (1944-2011), English composer of band musicRagtimes and Habaneras by Hans Werner Henze (1926-2012), prolific German composer.

You may be able to help

Brassroots expand our

audiences!

Could you print the poster on page 4 for our Christmas concert and display it on a bulletin board at the office or your church or anywhere? We would really appreciate your help!

and the Choir of St. James Westminster Anglican Church, Director and Organist Stephen Holowitz

www.brassroots.casouthwestern ontario’s favourite brass ensemble

THIS CONCERT ONLY: NO TICKETS REQUIRED – PAY WHAT YOU CAN, AT THE DOORSEASON TICKET HOLDERS FREE

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2017 • 7:30 PMST. JAMES WESTMINSTER ANGLICAN CHURCH

Have you visited our web site?brassroots.caCheck out our Facebook page, too — it’s really interesting!

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THE BRASSROOTS INSIDER • NOVEMBER 2017

and the Choir of St. James Westminster Anglican Church, Director and Organist Stephen Holowitz

www.brassroots.casouthwestern ontario’s favourite brass ensemble

THIS CONCERT ONLY: NO TICKETS REQUIRED – PAY WHAT YOU CAN, AT THE DOORSEASON TICKET HOLDERS FREE

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2017 • 7:30 PMST. JAMES WESTMINSTER ANGLICAN CHURCH