FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 27, 2006

Reading Civic Concert Band Calls for Musicians for Rhapsody in Blue

The Reading Civic Concert Band (RCCB) will be holding an open rehearsal on Monday, December 17 at 7:30pm. The band began as a collaboration between local musicians and the Reading school system, but it has now grown to include volunteers from all across Middlesex County. RCCB is truly a Community band, consisting of both professional and amateur musicians, retirees and students, (even a few in middle school) - all united by the love of playing really good music. All wind, brass, or reed players are welcome, but the band is especially looking for percussionists, French horns, bassoon, oboe, and English horn.

The band meets regularly on Monday evenings between 7:30 and 9:30, in Pilgrim Hall of the First Congregational Church, at 25 Woburn Street, Reading. They play 4 regular concerts a year, each concert being preceded by 6 weeks of rehearsal. RCCB does not charge dues of its members, nor require a year-round commitment; instead, it is a ‘drop-in’ band, where members commit only to the rehearsal schedule for one cycle at a time.

This format encourages greater participation by students, amateurs, and those whose professional workload is cyclic through the year. The winter cycle will begin with a rehearsal on Monday, January 7^th, and culminates in a concert on March 8, showcasing the work of George Gershwin and Ferde Grofe. Several pieces in this concert, including Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, will feature the world-traveled concert pianist Virginia Eskin (www.virginiaeskin.com ).

The December open rehearsal will allow prospective musicians to get to know the band’s musical tastes, and its director, Lucinda Ellert. Ellert is perhaps best known in the Boston area for her jazz dance band, Happy Feet Dance Orchestra, which she led for 20 years. She holds degrees from New England Conservatory and Grinnel College, has served as Director of Bands at Austin Prep, and is the Assistant Conductor of the Reading Symphony Orchestra. RCCB exists, Ellert explains, because there is great musical talent in Middlesex County, talent that often doesn’t have enough opportunity to show itself. Amateur players, Ellert says, “need to find ways to improve their skills and connect musically with others. We’re here to not only please, but also uplift you, challenge you and bring you to new heights of musical enjoyment,”

Recent concerts serve to illustrate Ellert’s drive to challenge and grow the band. This year’s fall concert featured a suite from Stravinsky’s ballet The Firebird. Last winter RCCB collaborated with the Boston Community Chorus, a 40-strong Gospel choir, in a rousing celebration of Black History Month. The year before, RCCB was delighted to play the premier of Selections from 'Song of Songs’, a composition by Stanley Hoffman, for wind ensemble and Cantor. Musicians who are curious about joining RCCB may expect exposure to the full spectrum of literature possible with a symphonic wind band. If you are interested in performing with RCCB, but cannot make the December 17 rehearsal, you may contact chairman Keith Pedersen at (781) 944-8047, or log on to www.readingcivicband.org