Menu
Kids get chance to make music with pros
When the internationally acclaimed ensemble "Dallas Brass" visits Fort Scott Community College to perform Tuesday night, they'll enlist the skills of local musicians.
The Fort Scott High School and FSCC bands will perform "An American Tableau," a medley tribute to America, with the Dallas Brass after intermission.
The esteemed ensemble will perform at the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center as part of their "Music in Schools" tour which brings the group to communities and schools across the country for the day. As part of the program, the Dallas Brass offer a workshop for local musicians and student rehearsals before the evening performance.
FSCC Band Director Betty Jo Laflen said when she originally received the call about a joint performance with an area band, she immediately thought of the high school and college groups.
"With the two of us together, I thought it would be an awesome experience," Laflen said.
About 70 FSHS band students, 20 FSCC students and a handful of Fort Scott Middle School students have spent hours practicing multiple times for the past 12 weeks leading up to the concert.
Of the 600 tickets that went on sale March 12, Gordon Parks Center for Culture & Diversity Director Jill Warford said she estimates 150 have been purchased.
"Sales have not been great," Warford said. "And they're such a great group. Whoever has worked with them, and one of our employees did where he used to work, said people just don't know what they're missing if they don't come to it."
"If they come out, they're sure to get a treat," she said.
As the night of the performance draws closer and the number of practices left dwindles, a plethora of emotions runs through the students.
Laflen said her students are nervous and excited.
"They want to do everything right," she said.
FSHS Band Director James Fox said his students are experiencing much the same thing.
"There's excitement and nervousness, but I also think that it helps to propel the kids to play well, work hard and be focused," Fox said.
In the more than nine years Laflen and Fox have been directing their respective bands, this is only the second time the groups have performed together. And for most kids, it's the first time they will have a chance to perform with a professional ensemble.
"I believe it is a once in a lifetime experience and it's an excellent opportunity to be able to perform with the Dallas Brass," Fox said. "The kids have worked very hard for this opportunity and it will be an excellent memory for them whether they pursue a musical career or not."
Julliard School graduate Michael Levine founded the Dallas Brass in 1983. The group has established a blend of traditional brass instruments with a full complement of drums and percussion, which "creates a performing entity of extraordinary range and musical challenges," the Dallas Brass Web site said.
"A Dallas Brass concert is intended for the entire family. Our ideal audience has a range in ages from 5 to 95. Our goal is to entertain and enrich by playing great music, while showing our audience how much we enjoy what we do," Levine said on the site.
The group's repertoire includes classical masterpieces, Dixieland, swing, Broadway, Hollywood and patriotic music. They've released six recordings and have appeared worldwide.
The ensemble includes the director, Levine, on trombone; D.J. Barraclough, trumpet; Chad Willis, trumpet; Juan Berrios, French and alto horn; Paul Carlson, tuba; and Sergio Carreno, percussion.
With such a unique music group in town and the opportunity they're affording local youth, Laflen said she hopes to see strong community support.
"It is a time to work with professional musicians at the top," Laflen said. "They are the top in the country."
General admission tickets are $10 and reserved seating tickets are $15 at the Gordon Parks Museum on the FSCC campus. Tickets can also be purchased at the Country Cupboard Gifts and Collectibles, 12 N. Main, or at the Home, Sport, Farm and Garden Show Saturday at Arnold Arena, 2108 S. Horton. Tickets will also be available at the door the night of the concert.