SUNDAY, JUNE 26 CONCERTS at 7:30 p.m. & Big Band @ 9:00 p.m.

The St. Joseph Municipal Band begins it 2005 summer concert series with a very special opening concert. The opening concert will be performed only at 7:30 and will be a special dedication concert celebrating the results of the half million dollar band shell renovation completed over the past several months.

The concert will feature John E. H. Howard, former conductor of the band who began the fund raising for the project during the 2004 season, by donating a matching grant of $250,000 for the project. Mr. Howard will be the opening guest conductor and will begin by directing the band’s opening ceremony of "The National Anthem," followed by the traditional "Strike up the Band." After a brief dedication of the new band shell seating and landscaping project, Mr. Howard will continue with conducting "Americans We," by Henry Fillmore.

The St. Joseph Municipal Band’s present conductor, Dr. Donald Moely, then takes the podium to conduct the "Rejouissance, ‘Fantasia on Ein Feste Burg,’ by James Curnow. Upon John E. N. Howard’s announcement of his retirement as conductor of the St. Joseph Municipal Band at the end of his 40th season in 1987, a committee of longtime band members formed to plan some very special events. Their desire was to create a long time memorial to John. Thus, the idea was born to commission a piece of music for him. Their choice of composers was James Curnow, who is a product of Michigan public schools, a graduate of Wayne State University (Detroit, Michigan), and Michigan State University (East Lansing, Michigan), where he was a conducting student of Dr. Harry Begian and euphonium student of Leonard Falcone. Mr. Curnow has taught in all areas of instrumental music, both in the public school and university level.

As a conductor-clinician-composer, Curnow has traveled throughout the United States, Canada,, Australia and Europe where his music has received wide acclaim. His published works now number over two hundred for which he has won several awards. To give Curnow an idea of our band and Southwestern Michigan area, the committee prepared a video tape of the cultural scenes of St. Joseph, including the band shell and a composite of band concerts with John’s narration. The result of this project was the world premier of Rejouissance (Fantasia on Ein Feste Burg–Luther’s "A Mighty Fortress is Our God"). The word "rejouissance" is a French word meaning enjoyment or to be glad or make happy. In English it is "Rejoicing."

This composition, "Rejouissance." was the last one John E. N. Howard conducted during his final concert in 1987. It is appropriate that the band performs in it’s opening dedication concert performs this composition which musically was inspired by what the St. Joseph Municipal Band has meant to this community, and dedicated to the man who has meant so much to the municipal band and the surrounding communities, John E. N. Howard.

The dedication for this piece reads as follows:

Commissioned by the St. Joseph Municipal Band, St. Joseph, Michigan, in honor of, and lovingly dedicated to John E. N. Howard, to celebrate 40 years as conductor, 1948–1987

Next the band features a trumpet soloist, William Camp, performing "Musetta’s Waltz," from the Opera La Boheme by Giacomo Puccini, arranged by Rafael Mendez. WILLIAM CAMP, who currently resides in Chicago, is originally from Niles Michigan. Camp earned his music degrees from Oberlin Conservatory of Music and The University of Michigan. His Principal instructors include Gene Young, Louis Davidson, Armando Ghitalla, and Arnold Jacobs. Camp has performed with the St Joseph Municipal Band for 29 years, originally playing under the direction of John Howard in 1975. Camp has also appeared with the Chicago Sinfonietta, Chicago Pops Orchestra, Lake Forest Symphony, South Bend Symphony, Springfield Symphony, Northwest Indiana Symphony, Kenosha Symphony, American Ballet Theater Orchestra and the Westwind Brass. His recording with the Dallas Winds and Chicago Chamber Brass, called "The Brass and the Band," has received national acclaim.

(Front Row from left–Carolyn Pampalone, Lanie Schrubba, Kylie Harris, Joni Case; Back Row from left–Jillian Buursma, Allyssa Wagner, Whitney Schrubba, Alexis Finch, Nicole Roberson, Katherine Penteres, Lindsey Ridenour, Brook Stubelt)

A Sousa march comes next with "Bonnie Annie Laurie March," which is followed by the Delores Shearer Dancers, who perform "Anything Goes,’ Hair Flair!", "Steppin’ Out," and "The Delores Shearer Precision Dancers"  Dolores Shearer is the owner and artistic director of the Dolores Shearer Dance Studio located in St. Joseph for 38 years. The studio offers professional dance training for children in ballet, pointe, tap and jazz. The studio's instruction encourages performing opportunities for students at their schools and community activities and challenges their creativity with original choreography. The goal is to help each student achieve personal development with poise, grace and self-confidence. Many of her students have been Blossom time Queens and pursued successful careers in dance or entertainment.

The band continues with a Henry Mancini march "The Great Waldo Pepper March, arranged by John Cacavas.

Next in the program vocalist Michelle Bythrow is featured singing "Ain’t Misbehavin" followed by "Somewhere Out There," by James Horner. MICHELLE BYTHROW was born and raised in Michiana, grew up on the block where John Howard lived, went on to study music at Indiana University, then toured with music missions across the U.S., into Canada, and finally to Greenland. She was married to Brian Bythrow in 1991 and moved to California where she began professional singing via the Sacramento Opera Company. Michelle sang in professional musical theater in Colorado and also began working in television commercials, film, print work, and studio back-up vocals. Today, she resides, with her husband and three children (Christy Rose, Cody, and Cora), in Park City, UT. Michelle started a jazz duo called "Sage" and performs for private parties and in local restaurants. She leads music at her church and writes original music for children and worship songs for church.

The concert concludes with William Latham’s "Proud Heritage Concert March."

The band then sets the stage for the late night big band concert which begins at 9:00 p.m.

The audience will hear vocalist Michelle Bythrow perform with the big band and the concert will feature many of the favorite tunes made famous in the big band era.

Director Dr. Donald Moely said, "This will be an evening with a lot of musical variety and entertainment, and will be very special as John E. N. Howard, begins the 2005 season conducting the opening ceremonies, and dedication ceremonies for the band shell renovation. We look forward to our 7:30 p.m. Municipal Band concert and 9:00 p.m. "Big Band" concert to begin the season this season with the renovated Band Shell."

The band season continues with it’s normal double concerts at 3:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday, July 3, and the with double concerts again on July 4 featuring special patriotic tributes to those who have served our country.

 

Page last updated on 06/28/2007