Hello all!  I am extremely excited and honored to be participating in the Melbourne Municipal Band’s Conductor Search.  When asked if I would conduct a program with the ensemble, I immediately jumped at the bit.  I have had a chance to work with the gifted musicians of the MMB over the last month and it has been an absolute pleasure putting this exciting program together with them.

So, why a Sousa Style Concert?  When I was asked to select a theme for this program, I thought this particular style of concert would showcase the musicians of the band.  In addition, it gives both myself and the band a chance to perform a variety of works that include light classics, solo pieces, important 20th Century works, contemporary pieces being written today, and of course, marches.

The music for this program is quite challenging!  The MMB will perform Dmitri Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, William Schuman’s New England Triptych, Leondard Bernstein’s Candide, music from Fiddler on the Roof, and music from one of my favorite wind band composers, Frank Ticheli.  In addition, the concert will feature two extremely talented soloists, Philip Vu and David Ewing.  David Ewing has been a great friend of mine for many years and it’s a great honor to share the stage with him.  Lastly, each work will be followed with an encore taken from Sousa’s march catalog.
 
I know you will enjoy the band’s performances on April 21st and 22nd!  Every rehearsal is a treat and the musicality of this ensemble is at such a high level.  I would like to thank all of the members of the band who embraced me with open arms, the Board of Directors, and the hard working volunteers.  Melbourne is lucky to have a cultural gem like the Melbourne Municipal Band.
 
I look forward to seeing you all,
Aaron Collins

Second Concert in New Conductor Audition Series
Aaron Collins Featured

MELBOURNE, FL, March 23, 2010 – The patriotic sounds of the man dubbed “America’s first music superstar” will ring loud and clear when the Melbourne Municipal Band (MMB) presents a “Sousa Style Concert” on Wednesday, April 21st and Thursday, April 22nd at 7:30 p.m. in the Melbourne Auditorium, 625 E Hibiscus Blvd.

It is the second in a series of concerts this year during which the band is auditioning candidates for the position of Principal Conductor and will feature Aaron Collins as the guest conductor. Collins is a composer and the conductor of the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra. He also serves on the Board of Directors of the Brevard Symphony Youth Orchestra.

The program will include very challenging and popular works, including Leonard Bernstein’s Candide Overture, Dmitri Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld, William Schuman’s Chester, and two works by one of America’s most popular contemporary composers, Frank Ticheli. Interspersed with these selections will be a variety of Sousa Marches, a program style that was typical of Sousa concerts.

David Ewing and Phillip Vu, musicians with the MMB, will be featured as soloists on the program.

Sousa was the creator of the American Pops concert and was the model for Arthur Fiedler when he started the Boston Pops. His concerts were a blend of light classics, new works, virtuoso soloists, and Sousa’s own inspiring marches, blended by a master showman. He is remembered for many patriotic songs and marches, including the celebrated Stars and Stripes Forever.

There is no charge for the concert and tickets are no longer required. Doors open at 6:30. Call 724-0555 or visit melbournemunicipalband.org for more information.

About the Melbourne Municipal Band
The Melbourne Municipal Band (MMB), established in 1965, plays free concerts for the citizens of Brevard County nearly every month, and also contributes to the community through parades, patriotic concerts and ceremonial performances. Some 30 percent of the band’s 80-plus members are professional musicians. In a typical year, the band serves 69,000 concert attendees, and its members give 27,000 hours of community service in the form of rehearsals and performance time.

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