The Brassroots

INSIDER

Vol. 13, Issue 1 • September 2017

“South Western Ontario’s Favourite Brass Ensemble”

www.brassroots.caCharitable registration #130746993 RR0001

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

From our music directorBram GregsonGREETINGS! Brassroots embarks on its 32nd season intent on continuing our entertaining brand of music. It is a fact that a brass dectet with percussion is limited in the scope of music it can provide. There isn’t a significant amount of original music written for this combination of instru-ments but we are fortunate to have an extensive library of arrangements that provides enough charts to meet the challenge of our first concert, Big Top Favourites.

In May this year, the American Ringling Bros. Circus folded its tent for the last time. This continued a recent trend, which has seen a decline in the number of circuses

— worldwide. The acceptance, at last, that animal acts have no place in the modern circus may have curbed some of the enthusiasm for the circus but it was wholly justified. Nevertheless, there are still many circuses around the world, the most famous being Canada’s Cirque du Soleil. The official web site for Cirque du Soleil suggests that it is entertainment at its finest, providing the opportunity to see terrific shows that transport you to fanciful worlds, see illusions from some of the world’s best master illusionists and relive the music that influ-enced generations.

To enhance the magic, hundreds of composers have written music specifically for the circus. Frankly, I did not recognize many of the tunes listed in a document I reviewed but the good news is that we will feature charts that are recognizable. Take a look at Sneak Preview on page 4 to see our entertaining program which will also include first performances of three brand new charts.

I remember ‘subbing’ in one of Britain’s famous circus bands in 1957. I can confirm that although it was fun, it certainly wasn’t a highlight in my career! I don’t remem-ber much about it. Rather it was simply a case of arriving on time and banging out an assortment of tunes, some of which I had never heard. But I do remember one because every circus in the world has made it famous: “Entry of the Gladiators.” So our concert on October 14 will start with

this famous march. 19th-century American poet Henry Longfellow opined

that ‘Music is the universal language of mankind.” What a blessing music is!

Music is our passion but my colleagues enjoy a wide variety of musical styles and genres. Take a glance at Desert Island Discs on page 2 to see the wide ranging selections of music enjoyed by Rob Inch and myself. I am sure this trend will continue when we ask our colleagues to share their favourite music in future editions of The Insider. Music is a universal language and knows no boundaries. It massages our emotions, offers solace in our solitude, and ecstasy when sharing with a throng of enthusiasts .

Walls may be a barrier preventing entrance to another country but walls cannot prevent the sounds of another country reaching our ears. In a troubled world, that’s some-thing to be thankful for! Bram

Where words fail, Music speaks — Victor Hugo

THANK YOU, FIL!

Fil Cappa retires from Brassroots’ BoardDR. FIL CAPPA announced

his resignation from the

Board earlier this year. Fil

was a guiding light and the

ultimate enthusiast for all our

endeavors. Many will know Fil

but others will recognize him

and wife Dianne for their box

office duties. He held various

positions on the Board during

the past thirty years and was

always a voice of reason in our

deliberations. As an amateur

tuba player, Fil always listened carefully and never failed to have

words of encouragement at the conclusion of each concert —

especially for the tuba player!

Soon to celebrate his 90th birthday, his health is not too good at

present so our thoughts are with him as he faces surgery in the

near future. Thank you, Fil, for your immense contribution to the

organization and operations of Brassroots.

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THE BRASSROOTS INSIDER • SEPTEMBER 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. We will feature these in future editions of the newsletter.

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 con-

certs. Surely much better to have the tactile pleasure of owning

these acclaimed CDs.

Bram Gregson1. Symphony No. 8 by

Franz Schubert, commonly known as the “Unfinished Symphony” Why? Because it was my

introduction to classical

music. As a teenager I heard

this easy-listening music on the radio ,

in a home where classical music was not a

feature. I was hooked!

2. Piano Concerto in G major by Maurice Ravel After familiarity with the concertos

of Beethoven, Mozart, Rachmaninoff,

etc., I was a relatively late listener to

this amazing music.

3. Four Last Songs by Richard Strauss I have three versions but it must be the heavenly voice of

soprano Renee Fleming, who I heard singing this some years

ago at Roy Thompson Hall. Mournful music but if alone, it

would remind me, with the final words of this masterpiece,

“we find beauty—no regrets.”

4. The Rite of Spring by Igor Stravinsky A challenge to conduct! Maybe I could sneak a score to the

island, study and spend lots of time working on how best to

conduct it!

5. Symphony No. 5 by Ludwig van Beethoven Unimaginable to be on a desert island without this mighty

masterpiece. 6. The Bluebird by C.V. Stanford, sung by The Cambridge

Singers Spellbinding choral music!

7. What a Wonderful World performed by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong Because one just has to smile listening to these jazz greats.

8. Send in the Clowns by Stephen Sondheim, sung by Cleo Lane with John Williams (Guitar) Oh that voice – just right for one of the greatest songs ever.

9. Ain’t Misbehavin’, played by the Count Basie Band The Master of Swing and first big band I heard back in late

fifties at the Royal Festival Hall, London.

10. His Majesty’s Sackbuts and Cornetts by Matthew Locke, performed by Brassroots 16th century Renaissance music on my last recording with

Brassroots; a constant reminder of over twenty years of

happy music-making with great people who shared my pas-

sion for music.

Rob Inch, percussionist1. Chicago: Best of Chicago

I have seen them twice within the last two years. Incredible

longevity, musicianship, song-writing. Been around for 50

years now!

2. Frankie Valli and the 4 Seasons: Jersey’s Best Once again, have seen him not long ago. Catchy tunes, well-

written and performed. He is in his 80’s!

3. John Williams Greatest Hits His music is truly inspiring. Had the great fortune of seeing

him conduct the Boston Pops a few years ago.

4. Josh Groban: All That Echoes Wonderful musicianship and solid song writing.

5. Amy Grant: Home for Christmas A truly exceptional Christmas album; masterful orchestra-

tions and performances.

6. Rush: Moving Pictures One of their best, I feel. I have been a fan since my teenage

years. Remarkable ethic and musicianship. 40+ years together.

7. Tears for Fears: Tears Roll Down Again, very solid song writing and musicianship.

8. Gabriel’s Oboe by Ennio Morricone, performed by Brassroots A gorgeous melody and great memories.

9. Gino Vanelli: Live in Montreal Has sentimental value as I played

this many times travelling to and

from Montreal the summer I became

engaged to my beautiful wife, Wendy.

10. Michael Bublé: Nobody But Me A very talented Canadian singer/song-

writer. Great mix of new and old.

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THE BRASSROOTS INSIDER • SEPTEMBER 2017

What some of our players did this summerNew house, new baby, sports, travel...ERIC AND EMMA DEVOOGHT, married last year, have moved into their first home. That’s a lot of work and great exercise for his percussionist arms — with paint brushes!

Seth and wife Amy welcomed new daughter Presley Alison McNall into their lives. They had a visit from Gregoire, a French exchange student. Son Liam stayed with him in Pibrac (south of France) earlier this year.

Tony and John toured Austria and Hungary with Camerata Pannonica.The orchestra is an international chamber orchestra with a pool of outstanding non-profes-sional orchestral players. A highlight was a performance of Galanta Dances, the Bruch Violin Concerto and Dvorak’s New World Symphony at the Franz Liszt Center in Raiding, Austria.

Julia had several family excursions to Fair Havens Family Camp, Ottawa, Guelph and Sarnia. She competed in Triathlons (swim/road, bike/run) in Milton, Toronto and the Dairy Capital 6-hour Mountain Bike Relay. When not train-ing for these events, she plays slo-pitch, ball hockey and no doubt manages trumpet practice!

Dave visited his grand kids in Manitoba; he’s a busy guy most of the year, so he spent valued time with his lovely wife. He also played lots of golf, breaking 80 for the first time! As someone who navigates the complexities of the trombone, we know he can count!

Susan, along with John and Jim Edwards (a Brassroots’ trombonist for several years), attended the International Trombone Conference in Redlands, California, where they heard amazing performances from some of the world’s best trombonists, and clearly, had a lot of fun as well!v

HAMMING IT UP IN CALIFORNIA: SUSAN FOLLOWS, JOHN MONK-

HOUSE AND JIM EDWARDS SEE THE SIGHTS

Bram and Ann saw Joseph and His Many Coloured Raincoats and Guys and Dolls – both outstanding produc-tions. The dancing was sensational in both shows. Also heard the superb Trinity College Choir of Cambridge. Bram spent several evenings basking in golden sunsets at Lake Huron and read his best book of the year, “The Noise of Time” by Julian Barnes. It is a riveting fictional account of the traumatic existence of Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich under Soviet Rule.

TONY SNYDER (RIGHT) AND THE HORNS OF THE CAMERATA PANNONICA

Eric ProbstWelcome to our new tuba player!ERIC PROBST RECENTLY MOVED to Kitchener after completing a Masters of Music in Tuba Performance

and Pedagogy at Memorial University of Newfoundland where he was also Principal Tuba of the Newfoundland Symphony Orchestra. Eric has worked as a freelance tuba player and military musician — a Sergeant in the Canadian Army Reserves. Currently he teaches tuba at the Canadian Forces School

of Music, and previously spent ten summers in Ottawa performing with The Band of The Ceremonial Guard for the Changing of the Guard Ceremony. He has also performed with The Royal Canadian Artillery Band in Edmonton and currently belongs to the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Band. Eric is very excited to be a new addi-tion to the Brassroots’ family.

AcknowledgementsThe Board of Directors, our music director and musicians 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.

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THE BRASSROOTS INSIDER • SEPTEMBER 2017

Ouch! – those darned conductorsRichard Strauss (1864–1949)German composer of the late Romantic era, best known for his operas. Also a prominent conductor in Western Europe and the Americas:

“Gentlemen, I would ask those of you who are married to play this phrase as though you were engaged!”

Arturo Toscanini (1867–1957)Italian conductor; one of the most acclaimed conductors, renowned for his intensity and drive for perfection.To a trumpet player:

“God tells me how the music should sound and you stand in the way!”

Sir Thomas Beecham (1879–1961)Much loved English conductor known for his mischievous wit:

‘The trouble with having women in the orchestra is that if they are attractive it will upset my players and if they are not, it will upset me!”

It is worth noting that the average age of these conduc-tors was 86. Something to do with exercise? Well, maybe, maybe not! Watch Strauss in action on YouTube and you’ll see he does not expend much energy, not even to smile!

SNEAK PREVIEW!of our 2017-18 seasonAll concerts are at St. James Westminster Anglican Church, starting at 7:30 pm

SATURDAY OCTOBER 14, 2017

Big Top FavouritesWe recall favourite circus music: “Entry of the Gladiators,” “Tent of Terror,” “Ring of Fire,” “Be a Clown,” “Send in the Clowns,” “Carni-val of the Animals”, “The Easy Winners,” “The Can Can,” and more!

SATURDAY DECEMBER 9, 2017

Christmas at Westminster VIOur annual celebration of the Joy of Christmas with Stephen Holowitz and the Choir of St. James Westminster Anglican Church. Festive fanfares, carols and seasonal favourites.

SATURDAY FEBRUARY 24, 2018

Brassroots Goes Latinwith guest artists The Three KeyboardsIntroducing the Tangos and Bossa Novas of Astor Piazzola and An-tonio Carlos Jobim; also favourites including “Mexican Hat Dance,”

“Children of Sanchez,” and “Malaguena.”

SATURDAY APRIL 21, 2018

In Praise of the Trumpetwith guest soloist Karen DonnellyKaren, principal trumpet of the National Arts Centre Orchestra, is one of Canada’s great trumpet stars. She will perform virtuoso solos “Napoli” and “Zelda,” and join our trumpets in “Bu-gler’s Holiday” and “Trumpet Blues and Cantabile.” The trumpets will blow up a storm — a show to remember!

Ticket prices are unchanged from last season!

SEASON TICKETS (all four concerts) $75INDIVIDUAL CONCERTS Adults $25; Seniors $20; Students with ID $5; children 12 and under free with a paid adult admissionCHRISTMAS Pay what you can! (seaon ticket holders free)

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

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

BRASSROOTS PERSONNELTrumpetsPaul StevensonKevin SwindenGwyn BeynonJulia Vaughan

HornTony Snyder

TubaEric Probst

TrombonesJohn MonkhouseDave DavidsonSeth McNallSusan Follows

PercussionRob InchEric Devooght

LAKE HURON SUNSET, BY BRAM