On Saturday, November 14 (2015) there was another amazing concert by the Connecticut Symphonic Winds in the Roger Ludlowe Middle School Theatre, at 689 Unquowa Road in Fairfield, CT. The theme was A Latin Fantasy!; featured works included Owen Reed's La Fiesta Mexicana, Owen Marquez' Danzon #2, Alfred Reed's El Camino Real, and Richard Meyer's Pablo! These concerts are free and open to the public. For more information call (203) 386-1625 or email ctsymphonic@yahoo.com. DIRECTIONS & MAP . . . CONCERT FLYER
SARAH SPENCER ASSEMBLED A RARE SET OF MUSICIANS as her new Transatlantic Jazz Band:
- Jimmy Mazzy (banjoist/vocalist extraordinaire & a revered member of the traditional jazz community )
- Fred Vigorito (cornet, 35-year leader of Connecticut’s Galvanized Jazz Band)
- Bill Sinclair (piano; a 40-year New-Orleans jazz performer who leads his own band weekly & on over 30 CDs with veteran New-Orleans jazz musicians)
- Art Hovey (string-bass/tuba; active in traditional jazz for over 40 years, an original member of the Galvanized Jazz Band)
- Tom Palinko (drummer, toured with Tommy Dorsey Band & with Rodney Dangerfield)
- Mike Owen (trombonist from England, aficionado of Kid Ory, Preservation Hall, performer & leader of The Bordello Bedwarmers & the Woodland Jazz Band in Denmark)
- Sarah Spencer, (well-known british saxophonist and vocalist, both in exceptionally authentic New-Orleans style)
On October 18 (2015) the band performed at the Downstairs Cabaret Theater, located at 3450 Winton Place Rochester, NY 14623.
Then on Monday, October 19 the same band performed for Rochester's Flower City Jazz Society at Glendoveers Banquet Hall, 2328 Old Browncroft Road, in Rochester, NY, 14625.
Joel Schiavone's world-famous Your Father's Mustache Orchestra gave a rare reunion concert on September 20 (2015) in the auditorium of the Miller Library in Hamden for the Hamden Arts Commission. MAP & DIRECTIONS:
The Whitneyville Festival was from 10 AM to 4 PM on September 12, 2015. at the corner of Whitney and Putnam in Hamden. The NMS Rhythm Kings (Our newest youth band) kicked off the program at 10 AM.
Tuesday, July 28th, 2015 a fundraiser for the Neighborhood Music School, honored our dear friend and fellow musician, the late "Red" Balaban! There was music by the Balaban Tribute Orchestra, featuring Paul Boehmke, Jim Fryer, Charlie Freeman, Gim Burton, Jim Tutunjian, and Jim Royal, and friends sitting in. The concert was in the Park of the Arts, behind the NMS. Tickets were $30 for a reserved seat and a picnic dinner catered by Chestnut Foods. For tickets and information about other events call NMS at 203-624-5189, or go to the NMS Website.
On Thursday, June 25 (2015) there was another amazing concert by the Connecticut Symphonic Winds on Paradise Green in Stratford, CT, starting at 7 PM. (postponed from Tuesday because of weather) These concerts are free and open to the public. For more information call (203) 386-1625 or email ctsymphonic@yahoo.com. MAP & DIRECTIONS . . . POSTER . . .
On June 20th, (2015) Sarah Spencer’s Transatlantic Jazz Band performed for dining and dancing at the Windmill Tavern, located at 400 Hollister Street in Stratford, CT. The band included Sarah on tenor sax, Fred Vigorito on cornet, Bill Sinclair on piano, Art Hovey on bass, and Molly Sayles on drums! Please call 203-378-6886 to request return engagements.
On June 7 (2015) the NMS Rhythm Kings (Art Hovey's newest youth jazz band) and the NMS Stompers (Art's senior citizen band, also from the Neighborhood Music School) performed after the polo match in Butch Butterworth's barn at the Giant Valley Polo Club. Information and directions can be found HERE:
On May 23 (2015) there was another amazing concert by the Connecticut Symphonic Winds in the Roger Ludlowe Middle School Theatre, at 689 Unquowa Road in Fairfield, CT. These concerts are free and open to the public. For more information call (203) 386-1625 or email ctsymphonic@yahoo.com. DIRECTIONS & MAP . . . POSTER . . .
On May 2 (2015) the Civic Orchestra of New Haven presented its annual spring concert in historic in Battell Chapel, at the corner of Elm and College Streets in New Haven. The orchestra is directed by Christopher James Hisey. For more information, email conhcivic@gmail.com, or visit the orchestra's website. The concerts begin at 8 PM. . . . Map & Directions . . . Poster (pdf) . . .
On March 13 (2015) there was a free concert by the NMS Faculty Ragtime Ensemble at the Neighborhood Music School, located at 100 Audubon Street in New Haven. The theme was "From Joplin to Jelly Roll", featuring works by Scott Joplin, Joseph Lamb, Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, and others, all arranged by Art Hovey for recorder, clarinet, violin, cello, tuba and piano. This annual event is free and open to the public. Recordings: . . .
On March 7 (2015) there was another amazing concert by the Connecticut Symphonic Winds in the Roger Ludlowe Middle School Theatre, at 689 Unquowa Road in Fairfield, CT, celebrating A Decade of Music in Fairfield. The concert featured works by Philip Sparke, Alfred Reed, Rossano Galante, H. Sakai, Camille Saint-Saens, John Williams, and more. These concerts are free and open to the public. For more information call (203) 386-1625 or email ctsymphonic@yahoo.com. DIRECTIONS & MAP . . . POSTER . . .
On December 14 (2014) the Civic Orchestra of New Haven presented its annual holiday concert in historic in Battell Chapel, at the corner of Elm and College Streets in New Haven. The orchestra is directed by Christopher James Hisey. For more information, email conhcivic@gmail.com. . . . Map & Directions . . . Concert Flyer (JPG) . . .
Connecticut's 2014 TubaChristmas was Saturday, December 13 in the auditorium of Old Saybrook High School. MAP & DIRECTIONS. . . PHOTOS
The 34th annual Long Island Tuba Day was November 14, 2014 at Nesaquake Middle School, located at 487 Edgewood Road, St. James, NY 11780, (631) 382-5105. The evening concert began with a set by Bob Barta's Sunnyland Jazz Quartet with John Klumpp, Bob Hovey, Bob Barta, and Art Hovey. The evening's guest soloist was Dr. Aaron Tindall, assistant professor of tuba and euphonium at the Ithaca College School of Music. Map & Directions:
On November 8 (2014) there was an amazing concert by the Connecticut Symphonic Winds in the Roger Ludlowe Middle School Theatre, at 689 Unquowa Road in Fairfield, CT. The theme was "Journey to the Western Frontier". Featured works included Bruce Broughton's Silverado, John Mackey's Sheltering Sky, Alexander Glazunov's Concerto for Saxophone (with Julia Gerace, Soloist), John Williams' Overture to "The Cowboys", Aaron Copeland's Selections from "Rodeo", and more. These concerts are free and open to the public. For more information call (203) 386-1625 or email ctsymphonic@yahoo.com. DIRECTIONS & MAP . . . POSTER . . .
On Sunday, May 18 (2014) Roy Rubinstein's Chicago Hot Six (with John Skillman, Sarah Spencer, Jack Kuncl, Art Hovey and Mike Albiniak) performed from 4 to 7 pm for the Jazz Appreciation Society of Syracuse at the Casa Grande, located at 135 State Fair Boulevard in Syracuse, NY, 13204.
Then on Monday, May 19 the same band performed for Rochester's Flower City Jazz Society from 6:30 to 9:30 pm at Glendoveers Banquet Hall, 2328 Old Browncroft Road, in Rochester, NY, 14450.
On Saturday, May 17 (2014) there was another amazing concert by the Connecticut Symphonic Winds in the Roger Ludlowe Middle School Theatre, at 689 Unquowa Road in Fairfield, CT. The theme was "Film Music for Heavy Breathers". Featured works included Morricone's Cinema Paradisio, Eric Korngold's The Seahawk, Safan's The Last Starfighter, John Williams' War Horse, Star Wars Trilogy, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. These concerts are free and open to the public. For more information call (203) 386-1625 or email ctsymphonic@yahoo.com. DIRECTIONS & MAP:
On May 3 (2014) the Civic Orchestra of New Haven presented its annual spring concert in the historic Batell Chapel, located at the corner of College and Elm Streets in New Haven. The orchestra is directed by Christopher James Hisey. The program included Antonín Dvorak's Symphony No. 9 in E Minor, Op. 95 (From the New World), Johann Strauss's The Blue Danube (An der schönen blauen Donau), and Richard Strauss's Four Last Songs with Stephanie Gregory, soprano Suggested contribution: $15 General Admission, $10 for Students and Seniors. . . . Map & Directions:
On April 6 (2014) Hill Bullard's Juniper Hill Jumpers performed in Knowlton Memorial Hall at the junction of Routes 44 and 89 in Ashford, CT in a benefit concert for Joshua's Land Trust, a truly worthy cause. MAP & DIRECTIONS:
On March 22 (2014) there was another amazing a concert by the Connecticut Symphonic Winds in the Roger Ludlowe Middle School Theatre, at 689 Unquowa Road in Fairfield, CT. The concert featured Tchaikowsky's Romeo & Juliet Overture, Vaughan-Williams' Overture to The Wasps, Rachmaninoff's Adagio from Symphony #2, Galante's Transcendent Journey, and Alfred Reed's complete Symphony #3. These concerts are free and open to the public.
On Feb. 22 (2014) Art Hovey performed with Norman Plankey (remarkable guitarist formerly with Pete Seeger) and Danny Elias (clarinet) from 7 to 9:30 pm at the Institute Library on Chapel Street in New Haven. MAP & DIRECTIONS:
On December 8 (2013) the Civic Orchestra of New Haven presented its annual holiday concert in the historic Woolsey Hall, located at the corner of College and Grove Streets in New Haven. The orchestra is directed by Christopher James Hisey. The program included Bordin's Polovtsian Dances, Dvorak's Symphonic Variations, Leroy Anderson's Christmas Festival and Vivaldi's Gloria with the St. Luke's Chorale and Chorus Suggested contribution: $15 General Admission, $10 for Students and Seniors. . . . Map & Directions:
Connecticut's 2013 TubaChristmas was December 7 in the auditorium of Old Saybrook High School. MAP & DIRECTIONS:
On December 1 (2013) Art Hovey's new youth band (the "Route 17 Stompers") performed at Books Co./Legal Grounds, 1235 Whitney Avenue in Hamden. This younger version of the no-doubt world-famous Sugarfoot Jazz Band has been rehearsing for a year and a half now, and performed at the Hot Steamed festival last June.
On November 22 (2013) there was concert by the NMS Faculty Ragtime Ensemble at the Neighborhood Music School, located at 100 Audubon Street in New Haven. The theme was "Pleasant Moments", featuring works by Scott Joplin, James Scott, Turk Murphy, and others, arranged by Art Hovey for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, tuba and piano. This annual event is free and open to the public. Recordings: . . .
On November 9 (2013) there was an amazing a concert by the Connecticut Symphonic Winds in the Roger Ludlowe Middle School Theatre, at 689 Unquowa Road in Fairfield, CT. It was a bicentennial celebration of Richard Wagner's birth, and his featured works included "Rienzi Overture", "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral", "Wotan's Farewell & Magic Fire Music", and the Prelude to "Die Meistersinger", all (thankfully) with no singing! Other selections included works by Vaughan-Williams, Sparke, Gassi, Galante, and Verdi. These concerts are free and open to the public. For more information call (203) 386-1625 or email ctsymphonic@yahoo.com. DIRECTIONS & MAP:
The 2013 Long Island Tuba & Euphonium Day was Friday, November 1 at Smithtown High School West, located at 100 Central Road. Rehearsals and clinics began at 3:30, and the main concert was at 7 PM with warmup by Bob Barta's Sunnyland Jazz quartet with John Klumpp, Bob Hovey, and Art Hovey. The guest artist was Philip Sinder, Professor of Tuba and Euphonium at Michigan State University. More Details:
On July 27 (2013) members of the Sugarfoot Jazz Band performed at the Lyme Academy's Youth Stage as part of Old Lyme's Midsummer Festival on the lawn of the Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts featuring zydeco, jazz, and blues, sponsored by Lymes' Youth Service Bureau and Bring Our Music Back, Inc. MAP & DIRECTIONS
On July 2 (2013) there was a free outdoor concert at Paradise Green in Stratford by the Connecticut Symphonic Winds. The program included Leonard Bernstein's Overture To Candide, Rossano Galante's Redemption, Leroy Anderson's Promenade, John Williams' Dartmoor 1912 (from the movie "War Horse"), Philip Sparke's Sunrise at Angel's Gate, AND special guest narrator Gary Scarpa in a performance of Aesop's Fables! There was a multimedia performances with our seventeen-foot outdoor video screen in a trip to Angel's Gate, Grand Canyon. For more information about the band call (203) 386-1625 or write to ctsymphonic@yahoo.com. . . . MAP & DIRECTIONS:. . .
On June 16 (2013) there was a special Fathers Day event at Butch & Leigh's Giant Valley Farm, on Tuttle Avenue in Hamden. It was the debut performance of Art Hovey's new "Tenderfoot" youth band, the Route 17 Stompers. Although the polo game was canceled because of a soggy field, the band did play.
On June 9 (2013) the Hearbeat Dixieland Jazz Band performed for the first time at the Katharine Hepburn Theater in Old Saybrook, with a warmup set by Art Hovey's Neighborhood Music School Ragtime Stompers.
On May 11 (2013) there was a concert by the Connecticut Symphonic Winds in the Roger Ludlowe Middle School Theatre, at 689 Unquowa Road in Fairfield, CT. The theme was "Made In America" featuring works by Alfred Reed, Aaron Copeland, Rossano Galante, Vincent Persichetti, Leonard Bernstein, and Joseph Lamb. The featured soloist was Jeehyun Kim, performing George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue". There was also a 7 pm pre-concert recital by the CT Flute Ensemble. These concerts are free and open to the public. For more information call (203) 386-1625 or email ctsymphonic@yahoo.com. DIRECTIONS & MAP: . . .
On May 4 (2013) the Civic Orchestra of New Haven presented its annual spring concert in the historic Battell Chapel, located at the corner of College and Elm Streets in New Haven. The orchestra is directed by Christopher James Hisey. The program included just two major works: the world premier of Dr. Rex Cadwallader's Symphony No. 4 and the Sibelius Violin Concerto in D minor, with Deborah Wong, featured soloist. . . . Map & Directions: . . . . . .
Palm Sunday Parade in New Haven:
Ragtime Concert: On March 22, 2013, there was a 7:30 PM concert by the NMS Faculty Ragtime Ensemble featuring works by Joseph Lamb, Scott Joplin, James Scott, and others arranged by Art Hovey for flute, clarinet, violin, cello, tuba and piano. The theme was birds, including the Nightingale, the Oriole, the Bobolink, the Mockingbird, a Gray Goose, a Silver Swan, and even a Turkey! It was at the Neighborhood Music School, located at 100 Audubon Street in New Haven. This annual event is free and open to the public. Recordings: . . .
The 2012 Long Island Tuba Day was re-scheduled for Friday, March 15 (2013) at Bellport Middle School. Dr. Brian Bowman, internationally renowned euphonium virtuoso and Professor of Euphonium at the University of North Texas was the guest artist. Bob Barta's Sunnyland Quartet (with Bob & Art Hovey) began the evening at 6:45 pm.
On March 9 (2013) the Connecticut Symphonic Winds presented a concert of band music in the Roger Ludlowe High School Theatre at 689 Unquowa Road in Fairfield, CT. The theme was "Stories of Myth, Legend and Fairytales", and the program featured Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite, Mahler’s Urlicht from Des Knaben Wunderhorn (with Chris Doney, flugelhorn soloist) Yagisawa’s Perseus, and Watson’s Aesop’s Fables (narrated by Gary Scarpa) along with several other works. These concerts are free and open to the public. DIRECTIONS & MAP:
On March 3 (2013) the Connecticut Symphonic Winds participated in a concert of band music in Columbia University's Roone Arledge Auditorium at 115th and Broadway in Manhattan. Other groups performing at this event included the Columbia Festival Band, the Princeton University Wind Ensemble, the Manhattan Wind Ensemble, the NYU Concert Band, the Brooklyn Wind Ensemble and the Columbia University Wind Ensemble. For more information please visit the Festval's Website.
On February 3, 2013 Hill Bullard's Juniper Hill Jumpers performed from 2 until 4:30 pm in Knowlton Memorial Hall at the junction of Routes 44 and 89 in Ashford, CT in a benefit concert for Joshua's Land Trust, a truly worthy cause. MAP & DIRECTIONS: