Spires Brass Band Presented their concert 'CELTIC MOODS' on March 15th, 2008 at the Kussmaul Theatre of Frederick Community College. The night was filled with uplifting music. They opened the show with The Star Spangled Banner arranged by John Phillip Sousa with the entire audience standing in showing honor.
The next tune Variations On Laudate Dominum by Gregson was performed well with mood and feeling. This piece showed the audience that the members of Spires are well trained and dedicated to their craft. This was a good run through for them since this tune will be performed in their upcoming NABBA contest.
William Kermit Britt was the Euphonium Soloist in the song Brillante arranged by Graham. Mr. Britt demonstrated his mastery and full range of the instrument as he covered the various leaps of notes throughout his solo. He was well complimented by the band's performance, too.
Spirit Of Adventure by brass band composer Norbury was a very energetic piece that really tested the Spire's Band abilities. A song that will also be used in the upcoming NABBA contest gives this band a real show of it's talents. The layers of melodies and dynamics really have the listeners glued to their seats. And Spires hypnotized, again, it's audience.
To close the first half of the performance the Spire Percussion section set the mood with it's Celtic rhythms of Tenors and Bahdrams for the Brass to give us the song Celtic Moods arranged by Vander Velde. It was a song that delivered the feeling of bright and rainy days, days typical for any Celtic. Again, Spires painted the picture well with it's full pellet of colors.
During intermission one could hear the various comments from the audience members at how The Spires have reminded them of their trips to Ireland to seeing River Dance when it was on tour. One couple was talking about an Irish pub they remembered in Chicago and how this show brought back that memory. Others talking about Penny Whistles to drinking green beer for St Patrick's Day to 'what do men wear under those Kilt's?' That's a sign to get seated for the second half.
Well, the next song, Entry Of The Celts (arr. Moren), made you see the rolling hills as the percussion section, again, craftly layered a rhythm coming from both sides of the stage. The energy of this tune was remarkable. By the end of the tune you thought all the band members were Irish by the way they played.
This next tune, The Irish Washerwoman arranged by Langford, showed the audience two things: there is more to Celtic music than drums & bagpipes and Spires has one hell of a Trombone section!!! Jay Gibble, Euan Edmonds, Dennis Mercer and Bernard Robier were the front voices of this song. Like a Barbershop Quartet these four harmonized and shined as bright as ever. Excellent job!!!
Gaelforce, another arrangement by Peter Graham, makes the Spires' stage and you can hear why. It has been taken up by many bands since its appearance, and is possibly one of the most recorded items of more popular repertoire at present. So, Spires would naturally add this piece to their performance and do it justice. Again, all sections show their strength of talents and play this piece having fun.
Irish Tune From County Derry (arr. Wright) was the closing tune for the show. In a 'Danny Boy' style the brass-only tune gave you a saddened departing from such a fine performance.
As an encore the Spires performed "Garry Owen" March arranged by James Fulton that ended the show in a more uplifting spirit.
The Spires Brass Band, under the direction of John Slezak, has delivered many performances to the citizens of Frederick, MD and other cities and states. There upcoming NABBA contest is in Louisville, KY at the end on March. They will be performing again in Frederick, MD on May 24th in the Kussmaul Theatre at Frederick Community College doing their concert titled Americana. Be sure to see this show.
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