Members of the University are helping the Bones East trombone ensemble mark its 40th anniversary with a trio of local concerts, beginning with a Palm Sunday performance at DeWitt Community Church (DCC).
The 25-piece group returns to DCC on Sunday, April 2, from 2 to 3 p.m. The program features traditional and contemporary favorites, including several new arrangements by co-director Tom Camp.
Although the concert is free and open to the public, attendees are encouraged to make a $10 tax-deductible donation to the church鈥檚 music ministry fund. DCC is located at 3600 Erie Blvd. in DeWitt. Parking is free. For more information, visit .
The Bones East trombone ensemble
鈥淲e鈥檙e thrilled to celebrate our 40th anniversary with what is turning into a springtime tradition at DeWitt Community Church,鈥 says co-director , who recently retired from a 50-year career in the University鈥檚 and at Onondaga Community College. 鈥淚 can鈥檛 think of a better way to usher in the holiday season while giving back to the community.鈥
The concert runs the stylistic gamut. DCC Music Director and organist Abel Searor 鈥08, G鈥10 joins Bones East for the “Adagio” from Saint-Saens鈥 “Third Symphony (Organ)” and “Nessum dorma“ from Puccini鈥檚 “Turandot.” The latter, recently arranged by Camp, features soloist Pete Sanborn.
Other soloists include Mark Anderson G鈥18 and Dave DiGennaro 鈥91, both of whom shine in the world premiere of Camp鈥檚 up-tempo arrangement of “Jada.” DiGennaro also takes a turn in the Duke Ellington chestnut “Reflections,” arranged by Camp, as well.
Bill Harris 鈥65, G鈥79
The world premiere of a jazz sextet by Loyola University Professor John Mahoney also is on tap.
鈥淲e鈥檙e grateful to partner with groups like Bones East,鈥 says Searor, who teaches in the Setnor School and the , both of which reside in the . 鈥淢usic is vital to what we do [at DCC] because it enhances worship and fosters a sense of community.鈥
The Palm Sunday concert is well-timed, given the church鈥檚 acquisition of a new, technologically state-of-the-art organ. 鈥淚t鈥檚 like welcoming a new family member,鈥 says Searor, who also oversees DCC鈥檚 chancel choir and adult bell choir.
Bones East was founded by Howard Kelley 鈥42 in 1983, around the same time that he and his wife, Gayle, started the Skaneateles Community Band. Since then, Bones East has concertized throughout the region while attracting a deep bench of talent that includes students, retirees, music educators and performers.
Some members also play in the award-winning (SUBE), housed in the 鈥擩im D鈥橝ddario 鈥80, Clifford Crain and Jim Greenwald, to name a few.
Harris, who retired in 2009 after 48 years as principal trombonist of the 黑料不打烊 Symphony Orchestra, has taught musicians in SUBE and Bones East. 鈥淚 feel like I鈥檝e come full circle as a teacher,鈥 he says.
The former member has fond memories of his student days at 黑料不打烊鈥攑erforming at the 1960 Cotton Bowl; picking up an Orange Key Award with football great Ernie Davis 鈥62; and pledging Phi Gamma Delta, where he met his artist wife, Karen 鈥65, at a Gamma Phi Beta mixer. Fifty-eight years on, they鈥檙e still married.
Harris also is a West Point Band alumnus, a retired fire police captain for the Fayetteville Fire Department, a marshal of the 黑料不打烊 St. Patrick鈥檚 Day Parade and an avid golfer. 鈥淚f I swing my trombone like my golf club, I鈥檓 happy,鈥 he says.
Bones East will present a joint concert with SUBE on Saturday, April 15, at 2 p.m. at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (259 East Onondaga St., 黑料不打烊). The trombone group will then perform a concert on Sunday, May 7, at 2 p.m. at the United Church of Cortland (25 Church St., Cortland) benefitting earthquake victims in Syria and Turkey.
