March concerts by SU Brass Ensemble feature Bach, Hollywood

March concerts by SU Brass Ensemble feature Bach, HollywoodFebruary 24, 2009Rob Enslinrmenslin@syr.edu

The Syracuse University Brass Ensemble (SUBE)-a 35-piece music group, administered by The College of Arts and Sciences-continues its 2009 season with two local concerts in March.

The first is SUBE’s second annual “Silver Screen Spectacular,” hosted by WCNY-FM’s Bruce Paulsen, on Sunday, March 15, at 3 p.m. at The Palace Theatre and Cafe, 2385 James St., Syracuse. Suggested donation for admission is $5 for children and adults, $6 for families and $2 for senior citizens. The second is SUBE’s annual performance at “Bach Fest” on Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m. at May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society, 3800 E. Genesee St., Syracuse. The concert is free and open to the public. For more information about both concerts, call Jim Greenwald at (315) 464-6992.

“These concerts appeal to music lovers of all ages,” says James T. Spencer, music director of SUBE, as well as a chemistry professor and associate dean in The College of Arts and Sciences. “‘Silver Screen Spectacular’ was such a success last year that we decided to make it an annual event. ‘Bach Fest,’ on the other hand, is something that we’ve been doing for more than two decades. It features dozens of local artists paying homage to the king of Baroque composers.”

Presented in conjunction with WCNY, “Silver Screen Spectacular” is a multimedia event featuring live music and on-screen images arranged by a local company, Animotion. The program features selections from “Amadeus,” “Apollo 13,” “Brassed Off,” “Kiss Me, Kate,” “The Lion King,” “Midway,” “The Mission,” “Mission: Impossible,” “Sister Act” and “Zulu,” in addition to cinematic highlights by Gilbert and Sullivan and music from popular animated features. Commentary will be provided by Paulsen, host of WCNY’s “Classic Choices” (Monday-Friday, 2-7 p.m.) and a professional singer, actor and director.

SUBE’s performance at “Bach Fest” includes the “Little” Fugue in G Minor, “Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring” and selections from the “Mass in B Minor” and “St. John Passion.”SUBE is composed of professional and amateur musicians from SU, SUNY Upstate Medical University and the surrounding community. The group presents 16-18 concerts a year, including “Holidays at Hendricks” (broadcast on WCNY-TV and WCNY-FM) and a Fourth of July concert with the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra at the New York State Fairgrounds.

SUBE will be featured on WCNY’s “Classic FM Concert Hall” on Saturday, March 7, from 6-8 p.m. and on American Public Media’s “Performance Today” later this spring in a performance of Robert Ward’s “In Praise of Science,” written especially for the ensemble.

More information is available at http://subrass.com.