Annual Spring Concert by the Westfield Community Concert Band
(above) The Westfield Community Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Thomas Connors, Music Director, will present its annual Spring Concert on Thursday, April 4 at 7:30 p.m. at Edison Intermediate School, 800 Rahway Avenue, Westfield.
The Westfield Community Concert band will present its annual Spring Concert on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 7:30 p.m. at Edison Intermediate School, 800 Rahway Avenue in Westfield, free admission. Dr. Thomas Connors, conductor and music director of the band, has prepared a program which is highlighted by popular, traditional and contemporary selections for wind band.
The program will feature the band’s premier performance of the complete Autobiography by composer and arranger, Robert Russell Bennett. A series of seven, two-minute musical “snapshots” of significant events from his own life, Bennett wrote this composition in 1976 for a performance by the world famous Goldman Band. This tribute to his life and musical development stands as the last of Bennett’s major compositions.
The program will also include Walter Piston’s 1950 contemporary classic, Tunbridge Fair. Piston received his musical training at Harvard University and taught music at Harvard for many years. Among his many well-known students was the legendary Leonard Bernstein.
The band also performs First Suite in E-flat, written in 1909 by Gustav Holst, which is a three movement composition that has become an international staple of wind band repertoire. Another program selection, Variations on a Shaker Melody, written in 1960 by renowned American composer, Aaron Copland, has become one of the most familiar melodies through its frequent appearance in film, television and other settings.
The band’s final selection will be New London Pictures, by Nigel Hess. New London Pictures represents modern elements of London in the 21st Century, in three “scenes”: Millennium Bridge, London Eye and Congestion Charge. “The music will bring to life the landmark bridge, giant Ferris wheel and hectic traffic that London is now best known for” says Dr. Connors.
The band, in its 107th concert season, will also be presenting its annual Summer Concert Series on Thursdays, June 20, June 27, July 4, July 11 and July 18 in Westfield’s Mindowaskin Park.
Experienced area musicians may inquire about joining the band by contacting Barry Rosenberg, band president, at 732-356-9400 or by email at info@westfieldcommunityband.com. The band rehearses each Wednesday evening from 7:15 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. in the community room located in the Westfield Municipal Building, 425 East Broad Street, and performs throughout the year.
