Spring concert features two big bands

Here’s why, on a recent Sunday afternoon, folks from all over outer East Portland were flocking to the Horner Auditorium …

This concert, presented in the Hazelwood neighborhood, begins with selections played by members of the East County Community Orchestra.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

A delightful afternoon of music was shared by a full house, at the June 2 “Sounds of Spring Concert” in the Howard Horner Performing Arts Center at David Douglas High School.

Again this year, members of the East County Community Orchestra, and also the Portland Metro Concert Band – both comprised primarily of retired amateur and professional musicians from Clackamas County, Portland, and Vancouver – gathered to present this concert.

Orchestra conductor David L Kinch leads the talented musicians as they play during the Spring concert.

The auditorium was filled almost to capacity when, at 3:00 p.m., under the baton of David L Kinch, the Orchestra started the program with the Star Spangled Banner.

They then turned to a “Broadway Showstoppers” medley, including such favorites as That’s Entertainment; Cabaret; Mame; and There’s no Business Like Show Business.

The percussion player for the Orchestra, Ken Kania, performs a roll on the timpani.

The Orchestra’s program continued with Slavonic Dance No. 8 by Anton Dvorak, followed by the Poet and Peasant Overture, featuring a violin solo by Don Sears and an oboe solo by Karen McCarthy. Then, soloists on French horn, clarinet, and bass clarinet – Doug Pike, Peggy Morris, and Greg Mitchell, respectively – played a musical selection entitled Dusk.

Rounding out the presentation was Bacchanal from “Samson and Delilah” by Saint-Saens and a rousing Johan Strauss Sr. toe tapper, Radetzky March, Op. 228, first performed in August of 1848 in Vienna,

Family members from both musical organizations provided a wide array of snackable cookies, which were enjoyed by audience members during the intermission.

During the intermission, as concertgoers and musicians mingled over cookies and coffee, attendees were able to learn more about the volunteer orchestra musicians and their organization.

Attendees also met members of the Portland Metro Concert Band, a group formed in 1992, which would step up to perform following the intermission.

Concert Band Director Glenn A. Taylor gives the downbeat, starting the second half of the program.

Under the baton of Concert Band director Glenn A Taylor, the Concert Band started off with Legacy Fanfare. Their next number was a medley called “Bernstein Tribute”, featuring the songs of Leonard Bernstein, with selections from “On the Town”, from its overture to “Candide”.

Audience members enjoy the Concert Band’s a “Bernstein Tribute”.

Next came the “Suite from Hamilton”, by Lin-Manuel Miranda; followed with music from “West Side Story”, and ending with John Philip Sousa’s Stars & Stripes Forever March.

Learn more about both nonprofit organizations at their respective websites:

© 2019 David F. Ashton ~ East Portland News™

 

 

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