Brass ensemble opens Fredonia pops series with popular film music
Since forming in 2006, Presidio Brass has rocketed to success as the face of a bold new generation in brass entertainment. By combining a brass quintet, piano and percussion instruments with fresh, original arrangements, their unique sound has become a trademark for the ensemble from San Diego, Calif., captivating audiences everywhere.
The group will open the 2014-15 DFT Communications Pops Series with their touring show of Hollywood’s greatest hits, “Sounds of the Cinema,” on Friday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 p.m. in King Concert Hall.
From “Star Wars,” “The Magnificent Seven” and “Moon River” to the theme from “Mission Impossible,” this show is packed with instantly memorable cinema themes.
The ensemble also engages audience members with wit and humor. The show is further enhanced by the use of large-screen projections from some of the most popular movies of all time during selected numbers.
According to Presidio Brass member Scott Sutherland (tuba, piano and primary arranger), the idea for “Sounds of the Cinema” came to light while watching the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra perform at the Hollywood Bowl.
“We were watching the concert and they had all these great projections playing behind the orchestra,” Sutherland said. “We thought we would dabble with a similar concept.”
The result is an eclectic mix of music, according to Sutherland. The addition of film footage to the ensemble’s well-established “Sounds of the Cinema” program has been in development for more than a year. The concert on Sept. 26 in King Concert Hall will be the debut performance of the show using projections.
“We cover a good number of movie eras,” he said. “The first half of the concert features classical music, while the second half is a little more fast paced with a mix of rock and jazz. We’ve got music from ‘Wayne’s World,’ ‘Star Wars’ and a whole suite from ‘West Side Story’.”
When not on tour, the members of Presidio Brass continue to perform with orchestras, maintain private teaching studios at several universities, arrange and compose new music, assist with public school music programs, and operate an annual summer music camp for students of all ages.
Members have performed with major symphony orchestras, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Las Vegas Philharmonic, Pacific Symphony and San Diego Symphony.
Presidio Brass has released four recordings: “Stolen Moments,” a collection of popular classical and jazz selections; “Christmas Day,” an assortment of well-loved holiday favorites, “Sounds of the Cinema,” which includes pieces from their signature stage performance of the same name, and “Rhapsody in Brass,” which features a number of songs that will be performed during the Sept. 26 concert.
Presidio Brass has performed in more than 40 states conducted master classes at many of America’s finest colleges and universities and has been featured on National Public Radio.
Inspired by the dedication of their school music teachers, Presidio Brass came together with the primary mission to promote music education and music appreciation in youngsters. This is why at every opportunity, performances are coupled with a master class or school program for which the quintet volunteers their time.
Presidio Brass will perform for approximately 200 elementary students from Chautauqua Lake, Forestville and Northern Chautauqua Catholic School at 10 a.m. on Sept. 26 as part of Rockefeller’s On Stage For Youth series.
In addition, band members will offer a workshop for students from the Fredonia School of Music on the topic of careers for musicians at 11 a.m. on Sept. 26 in Rosch Recital Hall.
“Sounds of the Cinema” is sponsored by DFT Communications and WDOE and 96 KIX Country as part of the Lake Shore Savings Season. Tickets are available through the Campus Ticket Office in the Williams Center, by phone at 716-673-3501 and online at www.fredonia.edu/tickets.
