SU Brass Ensemble announces spring concert lineup

The Syracuse University Brass Ensemble (SUBE), directed by James T. Spencer, continues its 2010 season with four local concerts. They are as follows:

• “Silver Screen Spectacular” at The Palace Theatre (2384 James St., Syracuse) on Sunday, March 14, at 3 p.m.;
• “BachFest” at May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society (3800 E. Genesee St., Syracuse) on Friday, March 19, at 7 p.m.;
• SU Showcase in Setnor Auditorium of Crouse College on Monday, April 19, at 8:15 p.m.; and
• Spring pops concert at the United Church of Fayetteville (UCF) (310 E. Genesee St., Fayetteville) on Sunday, May 23, at 7 p.m.

All four events are free and open to the public. Donations are accepted at “Silver Screen Spectacular” ($6 family, $5 children and adults, and $2 senior citizens, with proceeds benefitting SUBE) and at the spring pops concert ($8 adults and $6 children, with proceeds benefiting UCF). For more information, call (315) 786-2458 or visit http://www.subrass.com.
“These four concerts are annual traditions for us and the community,” says Spencer, who also serves as an SU Meredith Professor and as associate dean for science, mathematics and research in The College of Arts and Sciences. “The repertoire is designed to appeal to listeners of all ages and tastes. Each concert offers something for everybody.”

“Silver Screen Spectacular” is a multimedia event featuring live music and projected images by Larry Royer G’79, owner of Syracuse-based Animotion Inc. The program includes a popular James Bond medley, as well as selections from “Aladdin,” “Mary Poppins,” “The Mission,” “Silverado,” “How the West Was Won” and “Hook.”

Spencer says he is excited about returning to The Palace Theatre, which has been an Eastwood landmark for nearly 90 years. “The Palace is not only a cinematic icon, but also a wonderful place to perform,” says Spencer, referring to the superb acoustics. “The theater has been lovingly restored while maintaining its architectural integrity.”

“BachFest” is another springtime favorite, adds Spencer. On or around Johann Sebastian Bach’s birthday in March, May Memorial hosts an all-Bach bash featuring local and regional groups. SUBE’s program includes large- and small-scale works, including a tentet led by Led Strickland, former principal trumpet of the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra; “Come, Sweet Death,” featuring soprano Laura Enslin; and two keyboard arrangements for trombone trio. Every year, SUBE concludes its program with a sing-along of the choral finale from “St. John Passion.”

The SU Showcase and spring pops concerts generally provide lighter fare that, this year, includes Antonin Dvorak’s “Carnival” overture and Morton Gould’s “American Salute.”

SUBE is a nationally recognized 35-piece ensemble housed in SU’s College of Arts and Sciences. The group draws on professional, amateur and student talent from throughout Central New York, and includes doctors, teachers and retirees. In addition to performing at official functions at SU and Le Moyne College, SUBE presents more than a dozen public concerts a year throughout Central and Upstate New York, including the award-winning “Holidays at Hendricks,” broadcast annually throughout New York state and in parts of Canada on WCNY-TV and WCNY-FM. SUBE has recently commissioned new music from such venerable composers as Robert Ward, Arthur Frackenpohl and Joseph Downing.