The expansive lawns shrouded by tall trees that surround Washburne Park will be brought to life Sunday with booming percussion, soaring woodwinds, and triumphant brass from the Eugene Symphonic Band.
The band will set up in the old wading pool for a night of summer-y renditions of both obscure titles and familiar symphonic classics. Located just two blocks from campus on East 20th Avenue and Agate Street, Washburne Park will this free program presented by the City of Eugene and Pacific Winds Music.
The show will start at 6:30 p.m. and run for over an hour.
The Eugene Symphonic Band was formed over 40 years ago in 1947, and as its members, conductors, and directors have changed, the spirit, power and devotion the community members have dedicated to musical craft have remained steadfast.
While some of the members of the symphony are professional musicians, most are regular working members of the city going throughout their days as lawyers, teachers, accountants, farmers, or scholars and spend their evenings honing their musical skills. The players all come from unique and diverse backgrounds, but they join together in performance to form a common bond that generates eclectic, varied, and exciting performances that never see the same set twice. From folk dances to show tunes, Sousa marches and polkas to concertos, the band leaves no corner of the music world uncovered. And in the bright sunlight of Sunday evening will come the bright sounds of brass as the band bellows some of America’s best known marches.
“We enjoy playing what the audience likes,” said Eugene Symphonic Band manager Sherry Cossey. “We put on lighter theater in the summer than we do during the regular season.” Selections will include such well-known pieces as “Stars and Stripes Forever” and “The Wizard of Oz,” and rarities like “Easter Monday on the White House Lawn” and “American Overture for Bands” by Joseph Jenkins.
“Even though they won’t know them all, we like to play ‘name that tune’ with the audience,” Cossey said.
The choice to perform marches was only natural, as playing outdoors limits the acoustics for the symphony; while the woodwind players are quite strong, they just do not carry outdoors the way brass does, making the selections of trumpet and horn-heavy march renditions the perfect choice for the evening’s performance.
The Eugene Symphonic Band is conducted by G. “Mancho” Gonzalez, who has lead the band since September of 2005.
During his 21-year musical career, Gonzalez has gained extensive experience both as a community bandleader and as a teacher of music. He was the music director for the River City Concert Band in Sacramento, Calif. and has played in several community bands and chamber groups. After receiving his Master’s degree in conducting from California State College, Sacramento, and a doctorate in music education at Arizona State, he spent much of his career teaching in public schools in northern California and is currently the director of bands at Prairie High School in Vancouver, Wash.
Sunday evening’s show will be the first of two summer performances by the Eugene Symphonic Band. The next will be on Sunday, August 24, in Washburne Park and will feature vocal soloists and a guest trumpet trio. In addition to those shows, Washburne Park plays host to live music events every Sunday from June through November, featuring a diverse bill that ranges from rock and roll to bagpipe groups. The environment is always casual and relaxed as patrons are invited to bring blankets and picnics to enjoy along with the music.
The performance begins at 6:30 p.m., but arrive early to ensure a premium spot on the lawn.
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