A reliable and classic Chautauquan tradition, the Fourth of July Community Band Concert led by Music Director Aidan Chamberlain will once again play at 12:15 p.m. today on Bestor Plaza.
Chamberlain has meticulously planned pieces that will be “fun for everybody,” he said. Along with some Billy Joel, “Guardians of the Galaxy” and American classics like “God Bless America,” the Community Band will also perform a piece composed by one of its very own.
Clarinetist Scott Whittington, who has published over 120 compositions, arranged a piece titled Musical Mashup No. 2 that has 18 different popular tunes featured in it. Musical Mashup No. 1 was featured last year in the Fourth of July program.
The band also intends to play a piece by Marvin Hamlisch, a composer who arranged music for over 40 films and won a “PEGOT” — a Pulitzer Prize, an Emmy, a Grammy, an Oscar, and a Tony Award. At 19 years old, Hamlisch was playing in a hotel bar when he got scouted to go to Hollywood, resulting in him being late for his classes at Queens College; his professor was firm on him not being able to catch up — until he heard why he was late. Chautauquan Arthur Salz, that former professor, plays trumpet in the Community Band.
A “good amount of people” are expected to show up and play. Although the list includes around 120 musicians, other artists are allowed to join the day of, if they’d like.
While not playing in the band, Chautauqua Institution’s Music School Librarian Becky Mack and Arts Education Business Coordinator Samantha Minardi-Lopez are two people who have been integral in the production of the event. With so many people playing and attending, the set-up is no small feat, including providing American flags to spectators.
Chamberlain, who as conductor “has the best seat in the house,” enjoys how “when you’re standing at that podium, you really get the sound of the whole band.”
Chamberlain lives in Trinidad during the off-season, teaching trombone, lecturing in music theory, co-directing the brass ensemble and performing regularly with the music faculty at the University of Trinidad and Tobago. He also started coaching for the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service Band.
When the season begins in Chautauqua, he serves as music director of Thursday Morning Brass; teaches a brass, woodwind and percussion workshop in Weeks Two, Four, and Eight for Special Studies; and — of course — directs the Community Band.
As Chautauqua tends to empty out in the off-season, coming together often looks different than the year before. Since last season, the band has lost two beloved members who passed away — Principal Clarinetist Debbie Grohman and euphonium player Jack Connolly.
Jack Connolly, who passed away at the end of August last year, was in the band for many years and “made a big difference,” Chamberlain said.
His memorial will take place on July 13 in the Hall of Philosophy.
Debbie Grohman passed away a few months ago in April — she was in the band longer than Chamberlain has been directing. “She always had a big smile on her face,” Chamberlain said.
“Relationships hold the band together,” Chamberlain said. “… They’re showing up because they want to do it.”
