The Tri-County Music Association heads up a consortium of local organizations when the Tri-County Symphonic Band, under the direction of Philip Sanborn, presents a celebration of Buzzards Bay in music and the arts on March 23 and 24in Falmouth and Marion. Both afternoons will feature an art exhibition with works by local artists as well as musical compositions that portray the sea around us and Buzzards Bay in particular. Maestro Sanborn will lead the Tri-County Symphonic Band in a program titled, “Postcards from Buzzards Bay.” Artists from the Falmouth Art Center under the direction of Laura Reckford, Executive Director, will exhibit their works at the concert in the Simon Center for the Arts of the Falmouth Academy on March 23 at 3:00 pm. Artists from the Marion Art Center under the direction of Jodi Stevens, Executive Director, will exhibit their works at the concert in Tabor Academy’s Fireman Performing Arts Center on March 24 at 3:00 pm.
The important work of the Buzzards Bay Coalition in saving the Bay and ensuring its well-being will be well represented at the concert by Mark Rasmussen, President and Buzzards Baykeeper, and his staff. Andy Herlihy, Executive Director of New Bedford’s Community Boating Center, and his staff will be on hand to explain the mission and activities of their organization. George J. Scharr, Arts Department Chair and Director of Community Outreach for The Falmouth Academy is hosting the March 23 concert in Falmouth. The Falmouth concert will be held in the academy’s newly constructed Simon Center for the Arts.
The Tri-County Symphonic Band has commissioned an original composition for these concerts by Cape Cod composer, Michael Donovan. The world premiere of this work titled, “Postcards from Buzzards Bay,” is the keystone of the concerts. It presents musical metaphors that depict scenes and happenings near Cuttyhunk, the dangerous shoals of the Elizabeth Islands, a Marion Regatta, a squall off the coast of Dartmouth, the departure of the fishing fleet from New Bedford and sunset at Woods Hole. A thirty year veteran of the US Air Force, Major Donovan was the Commander of the 567th Air Force Band from 1992 to 2002. In addition to the premiere of the commissioned work by Donovan, the band will perform works by James Fulton, Francis McBeth, Robert Russell Bennett, Ralph Vaughn Williams, John Phillip Sousa and a new work by Rochester resident and composer, John Wallace.
Tickets for both concerts can be purchased online at: tricountysymphonicband.org.