Two Trombones and Woodwinds, Too

Opening with a rousing full band version of Shostakovich’s “Galop” from one of his more controversial ballets, we’ll then re-visit LA Winds veteran flutist — and piccolo soloist —Debbie MacMurry.  Debbie shares with us a segment of her sparkling performance of Stephen Bulla’s “Rhapsody for Flute” — which she performed on the piccolo with the the LA Winds! Please note the entertaining stills including “The Music Man” composer Meredith Wilson (flute and piccolo player in Sousa’s Band!), the lascivious god Pan, and an iconic “crying piccolo” player (recall “March Madness” Villanova vs. NC State) while listening to the “Rhapsody.”

Next you’ll hear from two trombone stalwarts from the LA Winds’ formidable Brass section.  Daniel Orkin will share pre-La Winds stories of his days as a “bugle boy” (not of Company B!) and a bag-pipe player. We’ll also talk with him about some very important work he does in the field of cyber-security. Mike Hicks then shares a beautiful video he produced with the multi-talented Andrea Vancura — another excellent LA Winds trombonist whom you met earlier in the “Four Winds on Wednesdays” series.  Feel free to sing along as they perform the 60’s classic, “The Sounds of Silence.” Mike will also talk to us about the memorable chance encounter he had playing a duet with the legendary Miles Davis.

Joining next is clarinetist Andrew Robinson whom you met last month when “Four Winds on Wednesdays” presented a discussion of music in the Zoom and Retail world.  Andrew shares a segment from Weber’s classic “Concertino for Clarinet.”  Some of you may recall several concerts in which the LA Winds performed this piece — with the entire Clarinet section as soloists!

Finally, tribute is given to the men and women members of the military who made the supreme sacrifice for our country as we prepare for the upcoming Memorial Day weekend. A stirring rendition of “Armed Forces Medley,” performed by your LA Winds, brings this final edition of our live-stream broadcasts to a spectacular end!

Be sure to invite your friends to join our live stream and sign up on our website (LAWinds.com) to receive the latest information on our upcoming July 18 “Summer Sounds at the Skirball” concert and “Julie and Steve’s Summer Soiree” on August 22.  And keep your eyes out for a special pre-concert video which will set the stage for our Skirball “Coming Out” concert July 18. Tickets will be available at the beginning of June.  Seating is limited and tickets are only $10, so I’d advise you to reserve your seats as soon as they become available.

Thanks, as always, for your continued support through our “Summer Sounds” and “Four Winds” series of presentations.  Let me also thank the nearly 75 members of the LA Winds who participated in these series of broadcasts as well as my colleagues Steve Woloshin, Paul Piazza and Chuck Fernandez. Without their countless hours of work “behind the scenes,” these memorable programs would not have been possible.  Bravi tutti!