West Newsmagazine 6/3/15

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By ASHLEY BOOKS
Summer concert season is upon us, and
Manchester Arts is kicking it off with the
opening of their third annual band concert
series. The series, which is sponsored in
part by West Newsmagazine, will kick off
at 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, June 14 at Paul
A. Schroeder Park, 359 Old Meramec Station
Road. All concerts are free and open
to the public.
The first concert’s theme is “Freedom
of Man,” and will feature music such as
“Armed Forces - The Pride of America,”
“The Star Spangled Banner” and “God
Bless the USA.” The theme was picked to
honor veterans and those who have served
in the Armed Forces, which is fitting since
the concert coincides with Flag Day and
the fifth anniversary of Manchester’s Veterans
Memorial.
Music Director and Conductor Chris
Becker, who is director of bands at Parkway
South High School and Washington University,
is excited to perform at the concert. He
also said that having an active member of the
Air Force play with the band will enhance the
theme and add to the environment.
In addition to the music, the concert will
feature food trucks and activities for kids.
Patrons also will be able to see a special
premiere of the Veterans Memorial’s new
interactive website.
Sheila Ryerse, a member of the Manchester
Arts Board of Directors, said the
event is very relaxed for attendees.
“(The area) is like a bowl, so you come
down a hill and at the bottom is the amphitheater,
so it’s very open,” Ryerse said.
“Kids could be playing Frisbee, they could
be playing with their dogs, they could be
bringing their own picnics to the table and
eating. It’s a very laid back atmosphere.”
The themes for the following two concerts
include “Heroes and Villains” and
“Around the World in 80 Days,” which will
features folk songs from different countries.
Becker said deciding on the themes
was a collaborative effort between him and
Assistant Conductor and Manager Jeremy
Knudtson, who is a band director in the
Rockwood School District.
The band is comprised of musicians, age
18 and up, who come from all over the
region, not just the Manchester area.
“They just hear about the band and that it’s
a great music-making experience,” Ryerse
said. “They just enjoy the leadership of the
conductors and the whole experience.”
In the end, for Becker and Ryerse, it’s
about sharing music with the community
and working with other musicians.
“There’s a very strong relationship
that exists between a conductor and the
members of the ensemble. As we go, as
we perform, there’s a really strong giveand-take,”
Becker said. “I think as I’ve
matured as a conductor, I’ve begun that
to appreciate that more and more. I enjoy,
especially (because) it’s community band,
seeing the reaction of the performers, the
satisfaction they get in picking up their
instruments and playing.”
The remaining concert dates for the
summer are Sunday, July 12 and Sunday,
August 16. Both concerts begin at 6:30 p.m.
June 3, 2015
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE I NEWS I 17
Manchester honors veterans, Armed Forces with community band concert
The Manchester Arts Community Band
(Doug Whitaker photo)