Band's new conductor makes her debut

Dr. Angela Schroeder is understandably a tad nervous.

An assistant professor in the music department at the University of Alberta, she is the director of bands and conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble and the University Concert Band.

But last June, the St. Albert Community Concert Band hired her to replace conductor Laurelie Nattress, a band mainstay for 14 years.

Schroeder is stepping into a new arena as she conducts her first formal concert for the St. Albert Community Band on Wednesday, Dec. 8 at the Arden Theatre. This annual Christmas concert also boasts the talents of their jazzier cohorts the Saint City Big Band.

“She was one of six applicants. First and foremost she is an excellent teacher and someone who will take us to the next level. She is very sensitive to listening and her demeanour is so positive,” explains band board president Gerry Buccini.

Schroeder had previously conducted three clinics for the band and there was instant chemistry. “I love the fact that they have a great time making music. The atmosphere is fun, positive and uplifting. What appealed to me was that they were willing to try new things and it was inspiring,” Schroeder says.

Originally from Calgary, her mother was a singer who introduced her daughter to the piano at age 5. By the time Schroeder had graduated from Fairview Junior High, she had fine-tuned the trumpet, an instrument she still exercises with the Concordia Symphony.

With a doctorate in music from the University of North Texas, Schroeder moved to Edmonton after receiving an invitation to conduct at the university. “Music is my passion and I’m lucky to work in my passion. It’s so exciting to bring music to life with an ensemble and I have to pinch myself that I’m lucky to be paid to do it.”

Schroeder sees the band appointment as an outreach program that not only will expand her own repertoire, but will also create impact outside the university setting.

Still in the band’s honeymoon phase, Schroeder has selected a series of challenging works. One of the freshest works is Holst’s First Suite in E Flat. “It’s a landmark masterwork. By the end of the year, we’ll have done the three movements.”

Continuing the sacred Christmas tradition is Morten Lauridsen O Magnum Mysterium, the jolly Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, and >Langford Legend, a collection of Irish folk songs.

Opening the two-hour concert is the 18-piece Saint City Big Band conducted by former Paul Kane music director Tom Smyth. While a couple of tunes are a nod to Christmas, most of their repertoire is straight-ahead jazz.

The opener is Carl Strommen’s arrangement of Santa’s in Town, a jazz take on Mariah Carey’s Santa Claus is Coming to Town. And in A Child is Born, soloists Brian Tymko play the flugelhorn and Barth Bradley takes up the piano.

River City Big Band conductor Larry Schrumm has written a special arrangement of Tom’s Shuffle and Critical Mass is a rock funk tune that will get the audience going.

Fred Mitchell, the band’s oldest sax player, is blowing out Blues for Mr. Mellow, a tune by Dominic Spera, once lead trumpet player for Johnny Mathis and Frank Sinatra.

A big booster of the concert, Smyth says, “If you want to start Christmas with good music and if you want to hear some good jazz, this is the concert to attend.”

The concert starts at 7 p.m. Tickets are $6 to $10 at the door.