(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Ocean Grove’s ever-popular “Summer Stars Classical Series” kicks off on Thursday, July 5 with the renowned Imperial Brass, the NJ-based 28-piece brass ensemble founded in 1991 by Rutgers University alumni. Imperial Bras performs at 7:30 pm in the Great Auditorium located at Pilgrim and Ocean Pathways in Ocean Grove, NJ. Tickets are $17.00 (plus applicable fees).
Conducted by Ronald Waiksnoris, the program includes classical and contemporary works especially arranged for the ensemble. Guest soloists include Philip Smith (former principal trumpet, NY Philharmonic), and jazz great Warren Vaché.
The Evening's Program: “The President” by William German; “Maid of the Mist” - featuring Phil Smith, by Herbert L. Clarke, arr. Keith M. Wilkinson; “America the Beautiful” by Samuel A. Ward, arr. Carmen Dragon, arr. for brass band Mark Freeh; “Tonight” by Leonard Bernstein, arr. Johnny Richards, arr. for brass band Mark Freeh; “An Affair to Remember” - featuring Warren Vaché, by Harry Warren, arr. Paul Nagle; “Climb Every Mountain” by Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein, arr. Philip Harper; “Amazing Grace” arr. William Himes; “I’ll Walk with God” by Nicholas Brodszky, arr. Goff Richards
Intermission followed by “All That Jazz” by John Kander, arr. Ralph Pearce; “Don’t Doubt Him Now” by Leonard Ballantine, arr. Craig Woodland; “Grand Choeur Dialogué” - featuring Phil Smith & Gordon Turk, by Eugene Gigout, arr. Gary Olsen; “Shine as the Light” by Peter Graham; Trumpet/Organ Duet TBA; “The Victors” by Bruce Broughton; “William Tell” by Gioachino Rossini, arr. Dean Goffin; “God Bless America” by Irving Berlin, arr. William Himes.
Imperial Brass has been delighting audiences around New Jersey for over 25 years. Originally founded as the Rutgers Alumni Brass Band by alumni Steve Dillon and Jon Korsun with arranger Mark Freeh, the band gave its first concert in April of 1991. Since then, Imperial Brass has presented highly entertaining programs that include traditional brass band literature, classical arrangements, popular music and more.
Many of the world’s greatest brass musicians have worked and collaborated with Imperial Brass over the years. Featured artists have included former principal trumpet of the New York Philharmonic Philip Smith, principal trombone of the New York Philharmonic Joseph Alessi, storied British euphonium soloists Robert and Nicholas Childs, famed American jazz cornetist Warren Vaché, principal trombone of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Charles Baker, and principal tuba of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra Derek Fenstermacher.
Imperial Brass has performed at memorable venues across the state, including multiple appearances at the Great Auditorium in Ocean Grove, the Montclair Citadel, and the Monmouth County Public Library in Manalapan. The band also performed at the International Trumpet Guild conference held at Rowan University in 2006, as well as the New Jersey Music Educators Association Convention in 2013. Imperial Brass has worked under the baton of many fine conductors, including Patrick Burns, Brian Bowen, Thomas McCauley, Anthony LaGruth and currently Ron Waiksnoris, who has served as Music Director since 2016.
Imperial Brass has also recorded, produced and released 6 CDs: Imperial Brass Highlights (1995), Imperial Brass and Friends (2002), Bone-a-Fide Brass (2007), Have Yourself a Brassy Little Christmas (2007), An American Legend: Imperial Brass Plays the Music of Leroy Anderson (2017), and Imperial Brass Plays J.S. Bach (2018).
Conductor Ronald Waiksnoris ranks among the very best conductors and musicians in the worldwide brass band scene. His outstanding achievements over 24 years include serving as musical director of the New York Staff Band. With him, the NYSB has made its mark internationally. Prior to his tenure with the NYSB, Waiksnoris achieved international acclaim as a cornet soloist, symbolically capped by his heralded performances in such venues as London’s Royal Albert Hall, which few cornetists can claim. He has been an effective teacher and guide to thousands of rising brass players for the past 40 years, and continues to share his expertise as a player, whether with beginners or with the most advanced players.
Philip Smith joined the New York Philharmonic as co-principal trumpet in 1978 and became principal trumpet in 1988. His father, Derek Smith, a renowned English cornet soloist, provided his early training. He is a graduate of The Juilliard School, having studied with Edward Treutel, and William Vacchiano, former principal trumpet of the NYP. While still at Juilliard, Sir Georg Solti appointed him to the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He has appeared regularly as soloist, recitalist, chamber orchestra performer, and clinician, including as a featured soloist with the Philharmonic with conductors Zubin Mehta, Kurt Masur, Erich Leinsdorf, Leonard Bernstein, Neeme Järvi, Lorin Maazel, Alan Gilbert and Bramwell Tovey. Smith’s repertoire highlights include the world premiere of Joseph Turrin’s Trumpet Concerto with the New York Philharmonic and the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra. In addition to other significant NYP premieres, he has also been a guest soloist with the Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, and the symphonies of Edmonton, Newfoundland, South Dakota, Sioux City, Cedar Rapids Orchestra (Iowa), Columbus (Indiana), Pensacola (Florida), Hartford (Connecticut), Beaumont (Texas) and the Orchestre de Paris., conducted by Daniel Barenboim, performing Mahler’s Symphony #5.
The critically-acclaimed cornetist Warren Webster Vaché, Jr. continues a notable family tradition. He is the son of the late bassist Warren Vaché and the elder brother of Allan Vaché (former JCJB clarinetist and frequent Riverwalk Jazz guest artist). Warren was born February 21, 1951, in Rahway, New Jersey. He received his degree in music education from Montclair State College in 1974 and also studied with trumpeter Pee Wee Erwin. Warren has spent years playing with such greats as Rosemary Clooney, Benny Goodman, Hank Jones, Gerry Mulligan, Woody Herman, Bobby Short, and Benny Carter.
All facilities are handicapped accessible. Order tickets by phone 800-590-4064 or online at www.oceangrove.org.
UPCOMING “SUMMER STARS” CLASSICAL CONCERTS (All shows start at 7:30 PM)
Thursday July 12 SOLISTI ENSEMBLE, 13-piece string ensemble, directed by Byung-Kook Kwak
Thursday July 19 ANTHONY TRIONFO and ALBERT CANO SMIT (flute and piano)
Thursday July 26 ALEX and WESLEY PARK (guitar duo)
Thursday August 3 " ORCHESTRAL FINALE” featuring RONALD NALDI (tenor), GORDON TURK (organ) and the MidAtlantic Opera Orchestra conducted by Jason Tramm
Photo by Lacey Murphy
