After the stirring overture to the opera “Force of Destiny” by Verdi, and selections from the musical “Oklahoma,” HBBB tackles “Call of the Cossacks” by contemporary British brass band composer Peter Graham that employs musical styles from Gypsy to Klezmer. “This five movement work tests all sections of the band,” notes director Gil Cline. “It highlights five soloists—one brandishing our so-called Cossack Horn.”
“Knights Templar” by 20th-century British band composer George Allen is “a roller-coaster major-minor masterpiece in counterpoint,” Cline said. “Blades of Toledo” by Trevor Sharpe, long-time musical director for the Coldstream Guards, “shreds notes at a furiously fast tempo, as if brandishing the famous swords of Toledo, Spain.”
Also on the program are contemporary composer John Rutter’s “What Sweeter Music” anticipating the December holidays, and a special version of Taps to commemorate Veterans Day.
HBBB is the only authentic British-style brass band in northern California, featuring 25 brass instruments plus percussion. Assisting conductor Gil Cline is Audrey McCombs.
Humboldt Bay Brass Band performs on Saturday, November 14 at 8 p.m. in Fulkerson Recital Hall on the HSU campus. Tickets are $8, $5 seniors and children, free to HSU students with ID, from HSU Box Office (826-3928) or at the door. More information: http://HSUMusic.blogspot.com. Produced by HSU Music department.