Volume 21 Issue 3 - November 2015

Beat by Beat | Bandstand
Pun Times For All
JACK MACQUARRIE
At this time of year the majority of bands we hear from are
preparing for fall concerts, and only a few already have their
sights set on Christmas. After attending the rehearsals of two
different bands in mid-October, two weeks before Halloween, with
nothing but Christmas music in their rehearsal folders, I was beginning
to wonder if fall was going to be bypassed this year. Then
we heard from the Wellington Wind Symphony. In their program
November 1, “On the Road Again,” conductor Daniel Warren takes the
audience on a trip, with a broad selection of works by Grainger, Reed,
Hazo, Mahler and Koetsier. In a similar vein, Silverthorn Symphonic
Winds’ November 28 concert, “Music that Tells a Story,” is built
around music from such shows as Anne of Green Gables. So chalk a
couple up for fall fare. One day later, though, the Markham Concert
Band tilts the balance slightly the other way with a concert titled “A
Seasonal Celebration” including Christmas and Hanukkah favourites.
(Although, to be fair, it also includes music from all eight Harry
Potter films.)
Plumbing the Depths: If as some suggest the pun is the lowest form
of wit, then hats off once again to “Professor Hank,” Henry Meredith,
for once again plumbing the depths of imaginative programming.
For the London-based Plumbing Factory Brass Band’s December 2
concert, Meredith has pulled out all of the thematic stops and put
them to practical effect. Many bands will frequently feature a small
ensemble of band members for one selection, but this time every
section of the band gets to display the talents of its members. Rather
than attempt to paraphrase, here is a lengthy excerpt from the
December 2 program announcement.
“The ‘agenda’ for the Semiannual Convention of The Plumbers
Union includes small ensemble music by its offshoot subcommittees
and delegations of like-instruments, as well as music for the entire
membership.
1. The conference begins with two pieces heralding the bonds of
comradeship typically found at such a conclave – ‘Emblem of Unity’
March by J.J. Richards and Overture ‘Fraternal’ by M. M. Snyder.
2. Following these opening ceremonies, the first delegation on the
agenda, the Slush Pumps trombone ensemble, enters, sounding a
‘Royal Procession’ dedicated to their union boss.
3. Then the trombone section proceeds to discuss its regional interests
in shipping with two familiar Newfoundland folk songs, ‘Jack was
Every Inch a Sailor’ and ‘I’se the B’y that Builds the Boat.’ The entire
‘caulk us caucus’ responds with its rendition of a medley of several
additional folk songs describing life on the ocean.
4. The Siphon Sirens are next to take the podium, playing two
Austrian hunting tunes on valveless Parforce Horns. Their haunting
Nocturne from Mendelssohn’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, follows,
performed on traditional alto horns.
5. The names of each committee evoke plumbing terminology, so
the Rusty Pipes cornet ensemble continues the serenade with the
elegant aria ‘Leise, Leise’ from Weber’s Der Freischütz, followed by
their Flanges and Flugelhorns contingent.
6. Subsequently, the Saucy Faucets of the cornet section become
Hipster Hosers when they play Jimmie Lunceford’s ‘Count Me Out.’
After these detours ... the convention recesses for an intermission card
game featuring ‘King of Diamonds,’ the seldom heard Overture by
Calixa Lavallée, composer of O Canada.
7. The semiannual conference adjourns for the holidays with two
versions by Georges Bizet of the familiar medieval Christmas carol,
“March of the Kings,” both as a “Prelude” with variations, and also as
a ‘Farandole’ folk dance.”
Other sectionals: While this program of the Plumbing Factory
Band features separate performances by just about every section
of the band, it is quite common for bands to include one or two
numbers in a concert by a small ensemble of band members. In their
concert this fall, the
Wellington Wind
Symphony will
feature a section by
their Slide by Slide
Trombone Quartet.
Another smaller
outgrowth of a
concert band is
the After Hours
Big Band which
Plumbing Factory Brass Band
consists almost exclusively
of members of the Newmarket Citizens’ Band. Unlike other
groups formed from within a concert band, this groups has never
performed in a concert with the mother band. On the other hand,
they do perform regularly quite independently from the concert band.
For many years the Newmarket Citizens’ Band rehearsed in the local
Lions Club hall. There the band had its own section for music storage
and a refrigerator to store refreshments. It was common practice, after
the regular rehearsal was over, for a few members to remain on “after
hours” and play big band music. In time this group became more
formalized and adopted the name The After Hours Big Band. In time
they started playing engagements independent of the activities of the
concert band.
Several years ago the Lions’ Club hall was destroyed by arsonists.
Over the years the Citizen’s Band has moved from one temporary
location to another. On the other hand, the After Hours Big Band has
been able to settle into a regular rehearsal location which would not
be suitable for the full concert band. While I don’t have any information
on their future performances, I do know that they quite regularly
entertain at retirement residences and long-term care facilities.
Instrumental Choirs: In past issues we have mentioned a few of
the choirs, or ensembles, of like instruments including Flute Street
and the Wychwood Clarinet Choir. We have just learned of another
such group, the Flute Flight Community Flute Choir. Their concert on
November 15, ”A Whole Lot of Treble,” will include works for flute
ensembles of various sizes from trios to full flute choir. This will all
take place at the Cosmopolitan Hall of Cosmo Music in Richmond Hill
on November 15.
Handbells: Speaking of small ensembles, for several years I have
thought about researching and writing about some of the lesserknown
groups. In particular, I was interested in learning more about
Handbell Ensembles. Then suddenly without any planning on my part
I found myself listening to two different Handbell groups within one
week. The first of these was at the 12th Annual Sandford Music Gala at
Sandford United Church. For those not familiar with the geography,
Sandford is a small hamlet north of Uxbridge. The last time I had been
to one of these events was a couple of years ago when I was playing in
a brass quintet. This year, not being a part of the show, I was attracted
when I read that one of the groups performing would be a handbell
ensemble known as Rhythm A’Peal.
Marilyn Meikle: Less than a week later I heard another handbell
group, The Embellished Handbell Ensemble. However, this latter
event was very different. The handbell ensemble was playing at a
memorial service for one of its members, Marilyn Meikle. Marilyn
was not only a member of this handbell group. She, along with her
husband Tim, were long time members of the Newmarket Citizens’
Band. Her passing has significantly impacted our household. For years
I have been sitting beside Tim in the tuba section and, when she was
able to attend, my partner Joan sat beside Marilyn in the flute section.
Less than two weeks before Marilyn’s passing, I was chatting with her
at a rehearsal. She told me how much she had enjoyed their cruise
around the British Isles just a few weeks earlier. She certainly will
be missed.
Jack MacQuarrie plays several brass instruments and
has performed in many community ensembles. He can
be contacted at bandstand@thewholenote.com.
22 | Nov 1 - Dec 7, 2015 thewholenote.com