The Three Rivers College Jazz and Symphonic bands will host a free music concert at the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on Tuesday, May 8.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. and will feature Three Rivers music students involved in both ensembles. The highlight of the Jazz Band's performance will be the classic "Big Swing Face" by Bill Potts, which was written for and performed by the Buddy Rich Jazz Band.

"This is the same chart the Buddy Rich Band performed, not a watered-down arrangement," said William White, Three Rivers College music instructor and band director. The Jazz Band will also perform "Swingtime in the Rockies" by Benny Goodman and James Mundy, arranged by Dave Wolpe, and "Steamsville" by Mark Taylor.

The Symphonic Band's showcase will include "The Sinfonians" by Clifton Williams, "Down A Country Lane" by Aaron Copland, "A Touch of Tuba" by Art Dedrick, "American Patrol" by F.W. Meacham and "Masque" by Francis McBeth.

"Both bands are performing what I call 'Gems of the Concert Stage,'" said White. "Clifton Williams' 'The Sinfonians' is a classic band work which has defined the highest standard of what symphonic band literature can be. 'Masque,' by Arkansas native Francis McBeth, is also a staple of band literature. Dr. McBeth passed away Jan. 9, 2012. This is the band's tribute to one of the world's greatest wind band composers."

The Symphonic Band is a unique group consisting of community members, area band directors, Three Rivers College and high school students. The spring concert is held every year to provide live contemporary, classical, and jazz music to the public at no charge.

I think I have enough testing completed to finally bring this new addition online...

For those folks that are more familiar/comfortable with viewing messages in a Forum format, I have installed FudForum and have it synching messages back and forth with the BBS. FudForum is available here and also from the Messages Menu.

Please note that if you wish to POST using the Forum, you will need to create a separate account there. There's no bridge installed between the BBS and Forum for User Accounts - only messages.

If you do decide to create an account on the Forum side, please be sure to go into the Control Panel and create a signature with at least your name so that people will know who posted.

For years I've been using Finale as my primary 'go-to' program for doing all my scoring... until now. :)

While I still plan on using Finale to stay compatible with other people in the biz, I am working towards using Notion as my main Scoring program. Notion has many features that seem to fit in more with my style of doing things - as well as having the London Symphony Orchestra at my disposal as the included Sound Library.

If you're looking for something that's different with something extra, then check out Notion. :)

Reminder that the 2012 MSHSAA High School Band/Choir Festival will be held on March 13 at the Tinnin Fine Arts Building on the campus of TRC.

MusicalQuests will be there to record the Bands as we have for the last few years. CD's may be ordered ($10/Group) during the Festival and will be available within 4 weeks afterwards.

Look for me at the front of the stage anytime during the Festival to make arrangements to purchase your copy. :)