Seniors' band picks up the rhythm

You don’t have to be a teenager full of angst and big dreams to join a band. In fact, there’s about a dozen St. Albert seniors that rehearse regularly as part of the Edmonton Schoolboys’ Alumni Band.

Tomorrow afternoon the 60-odd musicians perch their instruments at St. Albert United Church for Old World, New World, their final indoor concert of the season.

Performing only two concerts a year, the low profile, but marvelous musical ensemble is one of the little known joys of the capital region community band scene.

Under the baton of music conductor Taina Lorenz, they offer a fun and eclectic mix of familiar, popular and seriously challenging charts that have guaranteed audiences entertainment and enjoyment for several decades.

The band shows off their musical chops producing a range of melodies from Beethoven’s Sonata Pathetique and the spiritual hymn Amazing Grace to A Bit of Broadway and Soir d’Octobre.

To add a dash of spice, Lorenz has invited guest conductor Lidia Khaner, first oboe player with Edmonton Symphony Orchestra. Khaner will conduct Hugh Stuart’s Three Ayres from Gloucester.

“She has a very distinct way of conducting and with her background at the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra she’s very musical,” said Lorenz.

The Edmonton Swiss Men’s Choir is also the afternoon’s featured performers.

“The full choir of men is fantastic. They’re very entertaining. All their music is memorized instead of using sheet music. It’s a folk choir but at the same time they’re highly trained musicians,” said Lorenz.

The choir is scheduled to sing six songs in two sets ranging from Leroy Anderson’s The Irish Washer Woman to Michael Brown’s arrangement of Tijuana Taxi.

One favourite tune high on Lorenz’s list is English Folk Song Suite, one of Ralph Vaughan Williams most famous works for military bands.

“He’s an exceptional composer for wind instruments. He knows how to get his colours and he tends to have tons of layers. He does wonderful things with harmony and texture. With this piece, I’ve played it many times with trumpet, but I’ve never conducted it. Finally I get to conduct it.”

Lorenz also mentioned that she is waiving her fee for this performance and all proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross to support Fort McMurray evacuees.

“This is going to be a very entertaining afternoon with performances at a high level. It’s wonderful to see seniors perform at such a high level. And the Swiss Men’s Choir is a great supporter of the community. This is a great opportunity not only to support the Red Cross and Fort McMurray, but also to be together as a community and enjoy the camaraderie.”