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News -> This Week's News Wednesday, May 15, 2013
 
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c5737 band high.jpg (276699 bytes)
  Photo by R.C. Wheater Sr.

  Fremont High School band director Mark Breza directed the band in a Thursday morning rehearsal of “Octane,” the piece composed especially for the band’s May 20 concert.


 

Fremont
High school band's concert
to feature its own "Octane"

   By R.C.Wheater Sr.

Like a school day in spring, the Fremont High School band’s new performance piece flows along somewhat placidly until, like the cars leaving the school at 3:10 p.m., it surges ahead in a burst of youthful exuberance.

A local audience will have the first opportunity to hear the new composition, “Octane,” when the FHS band performs it for the first time on Monday evening, May 20 at the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts.

Respected composer Dr. Quincy C. Hilliard wrote “Octane” specifically for the FHS band, giving Director Mark Breza’s young band a unique opportunity to perform a commissioned piece.

“It does capture the exuberance of youth,” said Breza, who has been teaching young Fremont musicians for 26 years. “The kids really like playing the piece. It’s challenging, and it makes them think. It’s been a good challenge for them.”

“There are a lot of complicated rhythms in the piece,” he added. “It flows for a while and then it’s ‘pedal to the metal’.”

The musicians said that they are enjoying the piece.

“It’s lively,” said flute player Breanna Hillard. “It has changes in tempo. It almost tells the life of a student.”

“It starts slowly and nice,” said percussionist Vlad Cioceanu, “then fast, with a relentless character.”

“It has a good grudgy feeling, a darker part to it,” added saxophonist Brandon Kuck.

Seeking something special for the concert celebrating the first school year in the new FHS facility, Breza had arranged for John Moss, a composer from Benzonia and a friend of Breza’s from his days at Michigan State University, to compose a piece for the band and the occasion. Moss, however, died shortly after agreeing to compose the piece.

Seeking a replacement composer, Breza followed a suggestion and tried contacting Hilliard, even though Breza was confident that Hilliard would be too busy and too much in demand. Hilliard is in demand internationally as a conductor, adjudicator and guest clinician, and his composing commissions have included a piece for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and the score for the documentary film “The Texas Rangers.” He holds the Heymann Endowed Professorship of Music at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

Regardless, Breza called Hilliard at his home in Louisiana, catching the composer as he was carrying in his groceries. After a lengthy and friendly conversation, Hilliard agreed to step-in as the FHS band’s new composer.

The band has been working on “Octane” for approximately a month, with Breza seeking guidance from Hilliard via e-mails.

“I definitely like the dynamics,” said Emily Nestle. “It goes from loud to soft and builds again.”

“It’s actually a challenge,” said Dakota Murphy.

“Everyone has a fairly active part to play,” percussionist Sam Mayworm added.

band.jpg (273634 bytes)Along with “Octane,” the FHS
band will also perform Anne
McGinty’s “Music for a Celebration,”
Ralph Ford’s “Bellingrath Gardens,”
John Philip Sousa’s “The Liberty Bell,”
Katrina Cavaliece’s percussion piece
“The Children’s Magic Box,”
Norwegian composer Johannes
Hanssen’s “Valdres,” and Gustav
Holst’s “Marching Song,” arranged
by John Moss.

The May 20 concert is scheduled to
start at 7 p.m. Admission will be free.

 

 

 

 


 

 

Croton
Grant paves the way

for nine-mile pathway

The Fremont Area Community Foundation recently announced the award of a grant to Croton Township for a new nine-mile pathway connecting the Croton and Hardy dams.

“We are delighted that both Croton Township and the Fremont Area Community Foundation are pioneering this effort to develop pedestrian and bicycle friendly trail systems in Newaygo County,” said County Commissioner Chris Ortwein. “The cooperation and leadership shown by Brooke McTaggart from Consumers Energy, and the enthusiastic support of the Croton Township board  and the Croton business community were key in moving this project forward.”

Organizers said that the project will join Croton Dam and Hardy Dam together by expanding existing roadway infrastructure and restoring an historic section of abandoned roadway near Croton Dam. 

“This project will allow the public to walk, run or bike all the way from one dam to the other safely for the very first time,” said Newaygo Nationals Association Chairman Scott Faulkner. “This exciting addition to Newaygo County will also allow for challenging events such as biathlons and triathlons to occur along the beautiful Muskegon River, and sets a real precedent that will allow other Newaygo communities to become involved in the pathway project.”

The Croton Pathway is the first of several planned phases that are expected to connect Newaygo County both internally and ultimately to Michigan’s extensive network of connected pathways that span the Lower Peninsula. The  Croton Pathway is set for construction during the summer and fall season of 2013.

“We are pleased to be selected by the Foundation as a partner in developing the first phase of a much bigger project that will positively affect the lives of the entire County for generations to come,” said Croton Township Supervisor Morgan Heinzman. “Both our local businesses and residents are excited to begin to see the pathway constructed this year, and we want to thank the public for their support.”

 

 

 

 

 


 

Hardy
County board supports path around pond

At its meeting last week, the Newaygo County Board of Commissioners  adopted a resolution supporting the concept of a 30-mile hiking and bicycling trail encircling Hardy Pond.

Representatives from Consumers Energy, Newaygo County and Mecosta County parks, Big Prairie Township, Aetna Township, and Mecosta Township are forming the Hardy Pond Non-Motorized Trail Steering Committee in hopes of making the idea a reality.

“What a beautiful way to show off our county,” said Commissioner James Maike.

County commissioners heard from Big Prairie Township Supervisor Dave Wright, who cited the opportunities for tourism that the project would bring.

“This would be a destination trail for mountain bikers,” Wright said, “one unlike any in the region. The economic impact of this would be enormous.”

Commissioners also approved the fee amount for the Livescan Fingerprinting Service soon to be available at the sheriff’s office. The agreed on fee will be $62. The only other local fingerprinting service is available through the Fremont Police Department which, former Fremont police chief and current county commissioner Phil Deur noted, charges a reduced  rate of $61.50.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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