According to conductor Ralph Schweigert, “When planning a program, NMiBB tries to remember that not everyone listens to music in the same way. Some people listen with their heads, others with their hearts and still others with their feet. NMiBB includes music that will appeal to each of these listening styles on every concert.”

The concert will open with a contemporary fanfare, Brass Attack, by British composer Darrol Barry, followed by a beautiful contemporary setting of the traditional Irish hymn, Be Thou My Vision by Andrew Wainwright, American Salute by Morton Gould and a collection of Armenian Dances by Alfred Reed, including The Apricot Tree, The Partridge’s Song, Alagyaz and Go, Go. Also on the program are three traditional marches, The Free Lance by John Phillip Sousa, Belford’s Carnival by Russell Alexander and Gruss and Türingen by H.L. Blankenburg. The featured soloist for this concert will be Eric Shea performing Xylophonia by Joe Green. The second half of the program will feature a toe-tapping arrangement of Anything Goes by Cole Porter, Balkan Dance, a unique fusion of rock, jazz, and folk styles by Swiss composer Etiene Crausaz, and ABBA Goes Brass, a medley of the pop group’s most well-known hits.

Since the band was organized in January 1999, NMiBB has attracted enthusiastic adult brass players from across northern Michigan, from Alpena to Frankfort and all points in between. NMiBB meets twice monthly for rehearsals in preparation for four annual concert series, one for each season. The current active membership comes from many walks of life, including current and retired school band directors, doctors, engineers, secretaries, accountants, teachers and school administrators.

NMiBB is a 501(c)(3) organization eligible to receive tax deductible contributions. Please visit northernmichiganbrassband.org for more information.