Polished Brass Performs at Holiday Woods at Canco
Polished Brass Performs at Holiday Woods at Canco.
An enthusiastic audience, two centuries of music, and even three four-legged fans made for a memorable afternoon concert!
Polished Brass, one of Maine Pops Concert Band’s 10 small ensembles, brought an afternoon of musical entertainment to Holiday Woods at Canco in Portland, ME on Monday, October 26. The Atrium was packed with enthusiastic residents—and three dogs who joined in the fun!
The ensemble’s program spanned two centuries of music, featuring selections from Broadway and film, folk songs, jazz, Americana, and classic brass ensemble repertoire. Among the selections were two works composed in 1927: one that became a Broadway classic and another that went on to become a big-band standard.
The 12-member ensemble featured on trumpet Peter Flournoy, Judee Davis, Mike Davis, and Arthur McClanahan; French horn players Barbara Wolejko, Meagan Concannon, and Diane McClanahan; trombonist Jim McDonough; Euphonium player Jonathan Bosse; and tuba players Matt Chin and Roger Guerin. Polished Brass is co-managed by Arthur and Diane McClanahan.
Audience participation added a personal touch to the afternoon. Residents were invited to share whether they had ever played a musical instrument. Several had, including residents who had played French horn, trombone, and trumpet—a wonderful reminder of the many musical connections shared by the audience and performers.
The residents’ responses spoke volumes about the concert’s success. One woman, a 40-year subscriber to the Pittsburgh Symphony, offered especially high praise: “This was every bit as wonderful!” Another audience member expressed her delight in joining the performance, saying, “I so enjoyed singing and clapping along with the medley of American folksongs.”
For Polished Brass, the concert was another opportunity to share the joy of live music and build connections through performance.
Coming up next: Polished Brass will next be in performance on Sunday, December 6, providing musical interludes while participating in church services at St. Nicholas Episcopal Church in Scarborough. Services begin at 9:30 a.m. and are open to the public.
Following that performance, the brass ensemble will join two other Maine Pops Small ensembles - Quince (woodwind quintet) and the Maine Pops Flute Choir - for a holiday benefit small ensemble concert on December 20 at HopeGateWay located at 515 Woodford Street in Portland. The concert will bring together Maine Pops musicians for another celebration of music and community during the holiday season and support one of Portland's worthy causes. The concert is open to the public.
Organizations and groups interested in requesting a Maine Pops Concert Band small ensemble as are asked to please contact president@mainepops.org.
The Maine Pops is a 501(c)3 educational non-profit corporation. Contributions may be tax-deductible.