Brazil Concert Band to begin rehearsing for its 154th season

Saturday, May 12, 2012

BRAZIL -- The Brazil Concert Band, under the direction of Matthew S. Huber, will begin its 154th year on Tuesday, May 15 with rehearsal at Northview High School at 7 p.m.

Prospective woodwind, brass and percussion players are welcome to join. At the youngest, a member must be at least a freshman in high school.

Interested musicians may contact MMJJHUBER@aol.com or 812-448-3420 for additional details. Self-ownership of an instrument and good sight-reading skills are essential.

The Sudler Award-winning band traces its history to 1858 when it played at the Lincoln-Douglas Debates in Illinois. During the Civil War, its members served in the Union Army.

The Forest Park series began with the creation of the city park shortly after World War I. The band's home, the Forest Park bandshell, sports a new awning and more than 200 new benches.

The Brazil Concert Band (BCB) has performed throughout the United States, including Washington, D.C., Disney World, New Orleans, New York City, Memphis and the Wisconsin Dells.

The BCB has professionally recorded two compact discs of music by Indiana March King Fred Jewell, a member of the BCB during the early 20th century.

Conductor Matt Huber, the retired longtime Greencastle social studies teacher, is in his 31st year as music director of the BCB. He also directs the Jackson Township Community Band, and recently made his debut as an international conductor with the Treherbert Silver Band in Wales during a trip to the United Kingdom with wife Melanie.

The Hubers' son, John Philip, is a graduate student at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama in Cardiff and arranged for his dad to lead one of the several brass bands in which he plays euphonium and baritone horn.

The opening program in Forest Park is slated for 8 p.m. June 3. It is titled "The Archer and His Lady" in reference to the "William Tell Overture," and the time-honored musical "My Fair Lady" with guest vocalist Jodi Wingler.

The Brazil Concert Band plays every Sunday evening June, July and August rain or clear. During inclement weather, the concerts move into the Forest Park pavilion.

The official band website is brazil-concertband.org, which includes photos and articles about the 75-member band.

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