Alexander “Bob” Salzmann of Boydton, Va., serves as guest conductor as the Vance-Granville Community Band plays his own arrangement of Grieg’s “Elegiac Melody.” (VGCC photo)
The Vance-Granville Community Band presented its spring concert on April 16 in the Civic Center on the college’s Main Campus in Vance County.
Entitled “Music For Everyone,” the program featured selections from a variety of genres by American and European composers. Carl Cantaluppi of Butner, who has played clarinet in the band for many years, spoke on behalf of the ensemble and introduced each piece. Among them were “America the Beautiful,” “Second Suite for Military Band” by Holst, the traditional Scottish song, “Loch Lomond,” Grainger’s “Australian Up-Country Tune,” “Selections from Oliver!” by Leyden, “Barnum & Bailey’s Favorite” by King, “Light Cavalry Overture” by Von Suppe, Grundman’s “American Folk Rhapsody” and the whimsical “Instant Concert” by Walters.
A small ensemble of saxophonists Robert Bass of Henderson, Jeff Myers of Townsville and Tom Koinis of Oxford, plus bassoonist Tracie Winstead of Louisburg, calling themselves the “Vanguard Woodwind Quartet,” played two pieces, Tchaikovsky’s “Album for the Young” and “Hungarian Dance No. 5” by Brahms.
From left, Robert Bass of Henderson, Jeff Myers of Townsville, Tracie Winstead of Louisburg and Tom Koinis of Oxford play European melodies as the “Vanguard Woodwind Quartet.” (VGCC photo)
VGCC music instructor Ivory Brock serves as the band’s primary conductor. Associate conductor Brian Miller, the band director at Louisburg High School, directed the band on two selections during the concert. When not conducting, Miller played trombone in the band. Alexander “Bob” Salzmann of Boydton, Va., who plays euphonium in the band, also stepped up to conduct one piece, his own arrangement of Grieg’s “Elegiac Melody.”
The all-volunteer Vance-Granville Community Band is open to musicians of all ages from throughout the region, as well as VGCC students. No auditions are required. Rehearsals are generally held on Mondays from 7-9 p.m. at the VGCC Civic Center, at Exit 209 on Interstate 85 (Poplar Creek Road).
For more information on joining the ensemble, contact Ivory Brock at brocki@vgcc.edu or (252) 738-3222, or Carl Cantaluppi at carl1954@hotmail.com or (919) 691-5455.