North Coast Symphonic Band
|
Season Opener Concert Guest Conductor Concert Pops Concert Mother’s Day Concert All-American 4th of July All-American 4th of July |
 |
History of the North Coast Symphonic Band |
Band
music is alive and thriving on Oregon s North Coast! . The
band is composed of musicians of all ages from high school students
to retired seniors and from all walks of life. There are music
professionals in the group as well as
students, teachers and a vice-principal, doctors and nurses, contractors,
businessmen, and a fireman all of whom have made music a life-long
avocation.
Wind players encouraged the formation of the band in 1979 when it became increasingly
difficult to recruit string members for an orchestra that had been meeting in Seaside.
Art Vaughn, music instructor at Clatsop Community College, was the first director
of the group and several of the band's current musicians played in the inaugural
concert. Audience response for the band was enthusiastically positive at the first
concert and the band had to play its last number a second time as an encore because
they didn't know any other pieces.
Over the years, the North Coast Symphonic Band has developed a reputation
as a disciplined group that eagerly accepts musical challenges. Director
Richard Boberg and the band
perform in Clatsop county as part of Clatsop Community College
Arts and Ideas program. At the grand finale concert, Mr. Boberg
graciously shares the podium with a
nationally known guest conductor / composer and invites musicians
from all over the Pacific Northwest to join us for a day of celebrating
contemporary band music. These
guest conductors and composers have been lavish in their praise for
the group and have included Theodore Bloomfield, Elliot del Borgo,
Francis McBeth, David Holsinger,
Robert Ponte, David Becker, and Aldo Raphael Forte. In addition to
the regular season concerts, the North Coast Symphonic Band also
performs in the city park in Cannon
Beach for a Pops and at the Liberty Theater.
Another memorable outdoor concert occurred several years ago
in front of the Columbia River Maritime Museum. A contest
was held among composers to write a composition
for band, foghorn, and ship whistle. Several serious entries
were received and the band performed them on a cold and
foggy late afternoon. The performance was later
featured in a short vignette on NPR's All Things Considered
but as far as we know, the pieces have not been performed again.
The North Coast Symphonic Band is a mainstay for instrumental
musicians in the entire North Coast area and many travel numerous miles
every Monday evening to join the
group for its rehearsals. The band provides a social outlet for
musicians of all ages and an opportunity for musicians to network and
be creative. Musicians from
the group have banded together to form the Astoria Tuba Quartet
that performs regularly around Washington and Oregon and the Brass
Ensemble that frequently performs at Clatsop Community College's graduation ceremony in
the spring.
New members are always welcome to join the North Coast Symphonic
Band!
Prospective members can contact director Richard Boberg for information.
The band represents Clatsop Community College and rehearses
Monday evenings at the CCC Performing Arts
Center at 16th and Franklin Streets in Astoria.
There are many loyal audience members who attend all concerts
of the North Coast Symphonic Band and in 2001 the band received
several large donations from audience
members to purchase new equipment. At every concert the Director
encourages the audience to return for the next concert and
to bring a friend. The North Coast
Symphonic Band is for everyone!
 |
 |