UMaine Symphonic Band on the Run for 2004 Maine School Tour

April 9, 2004 Archives

Contact: George Manlove at (207) 581-3756

ORONO — Nearly 60 musicians in the University of Maine Symphonic Band are on the road again April 14, as they begin their annual Maine public school tour.

Their tour bus will make stops at public schools in Oxford Hills, Durham, Freeport, Brunswick, York and Bath. Musicians will work with the school students, perform at least four concerts and appear at assemblies at the schools.

“I’m thrilled they’re coming,” says Will Pidden, principal of the Durham Elementary School, where the university musicians will be in the afternoon on April 15. “The children be exposed to hearing live what a large band sounds like, and also that the University of Maine — their local university — has this type of performing arts program.”

For some of the school students, a live performance by such a large group “will the first time they’ve ever heard a band like this,” says Pidden.

The tour will take three UMaine students back to their home schools, according to director Curvin Farnham, an associate professor of music at UMaine and director of bands.

Katherine Eshleman, who plays bass clarinet, comes from Norway, whose high School is Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School. Trumpet player Ryan Adair from Phippsburg and Leah Tondreau, a French horn player from Freeport, both played in the Bath Municipal Band. Christel Kendzia and Amy Maier, both from Bath, play clarinet and piano, respectively.

Though a particularly busy time on campus, with final exams in the offing and at least two concerts in April, Farnham, who is conducting the tour, says he looks forward to sharing music and his student musicians with youngsters and adolescents throughout the state.

“I think we really feel a mission to play for the students and musicians in the state of Maine,” he says.

Kyle Jordan, director of band and orchestra at Oxford Hills, says his students are excited about the visit.

“It gives us a chance to perform for them (the university musicians) and they’re also excited about playing a piece with the University of Maine band,” he adds. “It’s good for the students in the music program to see what’s available when and if they go there.”

Dan Sovestky, band director in York, also is looking forward to the tour.

“It’s great to get them down here,” says the 1997 UMaine graduate, UMaine band member and a student at Farnham’s annual summer music camp. His students, also are anxious to perform with and for the UMaine band.

The symphonic band has a reputation extending beyond Maine. It was the featured band at a festival in Halifax, Nova Scotia last spring.

The week’s schedule for the university’s largest musical performance group is as follows:

Wednesday, April 14

  • 2 p.m., depart UMaine

  • 5 p.m., arrive at Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School (743-8914)

  • 7 p.m., concert

Thursday, April 15

  • 9:30 a.m., school assembly at Oxford Hills

  • 1:45 p.m., K-1 assembly at Durham Elementary School (353-9333)

  • 2:05 p.m., grades 2-8 assembly in Durham

  • 7 p.m., concert at Brunswick High School (798-5500)

Friday, April 16

  • 9:30 a.m., assembly at Brunswick High

  • 1 p.m., assembly at York Middle School (603-363-8352)

  • 3 p.m. rehearsal and clinic at York (tentative)

  • 7 p.m., concert at York HS with York High School Band (207-363-3621)

Saturday, April 17

  • 7 p.m., concert at Morse High School in Bath (443-8250)

  • 9 p.m., return to UMaine.