Local Musicians To Perform with Acclaimed Dallas Brass

Dallas Brass will play at Orcas School and at the Orcas Center next weekend.

Orcas Center will present the nationally-acclaimed Dallas Brass on March 13 in a performance that will also feature more than 30 members of the Orcas Island Community Band as well as students from Orcas and San Juan Islands.

Founded in Dallas in 1983 by Michael Levine, Dallas Brass has become one of America’s foremost musical ensembles. With a repertoire that includes classical masterpieces, Dixieland, swing, Broadway, Hollywood and patriotic music, the Dallas Brass appears in solo engagements and with symphony orchestras nationwide.

They have performed at Carnegie Hall and the John F. Kennedy Center, have shared the stage with the late Bob Hope, and have performed for Presidents Gerald Ford and George H. W. Bush.

With a strong dedication to working with young musicians, the Dallas Brass will interface with the Orcas community in several ways. They will perform in an all-school assembly on Friday, March 12, and they will instruct young and adult musicians in a master class on Saturday. They will invite students and members of the Orcas Island Community Band to perform one number of their American Musical Journey program which will include selections from the ensemble’s vast repertoire: Copland, Bernstein, Gershwin, Berlin, John Williams, Sousa, the Tijuana Brass and Chicago; and from many musical styles, even hip-hop!

Joe Babcock, director of the Orcas Island Community Band discusses the impact of the ensemble’s visit: “Having a group like the Dallas Brass come to Orcas Island is a real treat for everyone on the island. With their diverse musical offering, there will be something on the program for anyone of any age. The community band was delighted and excited to be invited to play on stage with the Dallas Brass. It’s really special for us to be able to perform with professionals of such caliber.”

Steve Alboucq, Orcas Horns member, remarks: “The Dallas Brass are some of the best brass instrument players in the country, plus they are also fabulous educators who are eager to spread the joy of making music in band. Our young music students, at every level, will enjoy their lively music clinic. The lucky students and community band members who rehearse and perform onstage with the Dallas Brass will never forget the magic of making music with first-class professionals. I know I’m looking forward to it.

This presentation of the Dallas Brass Quintet is generously underwritten by Steve & Nancy Alboucq, Craig Canine & Molly Cox, Dimitri & Lorena Stankevich, Richard Strachan, Ed & Judy Zimmerman and the Five Bells Quintet. Support has also been provided by the TourWest Program of the Western States Arts Federation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The Dallas Brass performance is on Saturday, March 13 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $25, $17 for Orcas Center members and $11 for students. Tickets may be purchased at www.orcascenter.org or in person or over the phone during regular box office hours: Thursday-Saturday, noon-4 pm. 376-2281 ext.1. If the cost of Orcas Center tickets prevents an individual or family from attending a performance, please call the box office to explore free and discounted tickets made available through the generosity of an Orcas Center donor.

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Prior to the performance of Dallas Brass, Orcas Center and the Lower Tavern will host Burgers & Brew in the Madrona Room, beginning at 5 pm. For $12, diners will enjoy an authentic Lower burger and beverage of their choice. It’s delicious, it’s festive, and all proceeds benefit Orcas Center programs.