The Tri-County Symphonic Band, under the direction of Philip Sanborn, will begin its 54th season with a program entitled “October” on Sunday, October 25 at 3:00 pm in the Fireman Performing Arts Center at Hoyt Hall on the campus of Tabor Academy, 235 Front Street, Marion, Massachusetts. Clarinetist Ted Casher will be the soloist in a program that reflects the beauty, solemnity and vibrant colors of autumn.
“Siorai September” by Samuel Hazo translates from Gaelic as Eternal September. It is reminiscent of the Septembers on the campus of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. Composer Eric Whitacre wrote “October” proclaiming, “October is my favorite month. Something about the crisp autumn air and the subtle change in light always make me a little sentimental.” “The Gales of November” was composed by James Hosay and captures the beauty, excitement and occasional tragedy of maritime on the Great Lakes in the month that brings weather that is unpredictable at best. Samuel Hazo’s “Autumn on White Lake” represents images of falling leaves and autumn winds that evoke childhood memories of the smell of the air, raking piles of leaves, and the slight chill of the early evening. The first half of the concert concludes with John Philip Sousa’s “Yorktown Centennial March.” The Siege of Yorktown proved to be the last major land battle of the American Revolutionary War ending on October 19, 1781. Sousa’s march is replete with cavalry sounds and military overtones.
The second half of the program opens with Philip Sparke’s “Concerto for Clarinet.” The work is in three movements with the first being syncopated in a rag-like style, the second more lyrical exploring the lower register of the instrument and the third movement in an almost be-bop style showing off the jazzier side of the clarinet. The soloist is clarinetist and woodwind specialist, Ted Casher. The extensive list of groups with which he has performed includes The Harry James Orchestra, The Benny Goodman Tribute Orchestra, The Artie Shaw Orchestra, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, The Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra, The Ray MacKinley All-Stars, The Duke Belaire Big Band, The Rhode Island Philharmonic, The Zamir Chorale and The Klezmer Conservatory Band. He has played at many respected venues including the Wilbur Theater, Shubert Theater, Colonial Theater, Wang Center, South Shore Music Circus, Cape Cod Melody Tent, North Shore Music Theater, Comcast Center and Blinstrub’s Village. Mr. Casher has shared the stage with Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Tony Bennett, Johnny Mathis, Michel LeGrand, Tony Orlando, Lou Rawls, Jerry Lewis, Sergio Franchi, Al Martino and John Denver. As an educator, Mr. Casher has served as musical director of the Rhode Island All-Star High School Jazz Ensemble, a big band that opened the Newport Jazz Festival, and conducted All-State jazz ensembles in Maine, Rhode Island and Connecticut. He also was active in studio teaching and classroom instruction at Berklee College of Music, Roger Williams University, University of Rhode Island, Community College of Rhode Island, Dean College, Ponaganset High School and North Attleboro High School. He has been a senior instrumental faculty member at Foxboro Jazz Improvisation Camp, Maine Jazz Camp and Rhode Island Music Educators Camp. Mr. Casher was Composer-in-Residence for the Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and jazz instructor for The Arts Center in Providence, RI.
The concert concludes with the “First Suite for Military Band” by British composer Gustav Holst. There are three movements in the suite: Chaconne, Intermezzo, and March. The Chaconne begins with a ground bass reminiscent of those written by Henry Purcell or William Byrd. The Intermezzo is light and brisk and features soloistic passages for the cornet, oboe and clarinet. The March consists of two themes, the first of which, performed by brass choir and percussion, is a march light in character. The second theme is dominated by the woodwinds and is composed of a long, lyrical line reminiscent of the original Chaconne melody. The movement concludes with both themes intertwining as the band crescendos to a climax.
Tickets are $15 for adults, $5 for students, and children 12 and under are admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased at the Symphony Music Shop in Dartmouth and The Bookstall in Marion. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door.