Arts & Entertainment
University of Michigan Alumni Concert Band Seeks Musicians
Rehearsals for the upcoming season begin Thursday in Ann Arbor.
Scio Township resident Linda Ridley, who performs in the University of Michigan Alumni Association Concert Band, is putting out the bugle call for former Wolverine band members who would like to join the troupe.
The invitation for alumni of all ages and abilities to gather, make music and socialize is open to any U-M graduate who played a band instrument for at least one semester in an ensemble.
The fall session begins with the first rehearsal at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Skyline High School in Ann Arbor. Rehearsals continue for eight weeks, culminating with a concert Nov. 13 at Hill Auditorium.
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“I’m really excited about performing in Hill Auditorium,” Ridley said. “The sound is really amazing there. Playing in the concert band is a
lot of fun. The only downside is that after a few rehearsals, I can’t get the music out of my head.”
Langston Hemenway, a doctoral student at the U-M School of Music, Theatre & Dance, returns as this season's conductor. Mary Mullison will be the alumni guest conductor and composer, and U-M alumnus Jerry Bilik will lead the band in one of his compositions.
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The concert band’s winter session begins with rehearsals Jan. 12, 2012, and ends March 11 with a concert at Huron High School in Ann Arbor. The spring session begins April 12 with rehearsals at Revelli Hall in Ann Arbor and ends with a concert June 3.
Members also take part in an annual “Blast from the Past” reunion at U-M Homecoming and perform with the Alumni Pep Band at Michigan games and other events.
Trumpet player Janette Gryniewicz, who has been with the concert band since its first session, played in the U-M marching band and hockey band as a student.
“It’s great to be able to play with other U-M band alums,” she said. “I love how even though we played at different times with different bands and different conductors, we all still have this shared U-M band experience that brings people together.”
To sign up or for more information, email UMBAAConcertBand@umich.edu or visit
umbaa.org/bands/concert-band.html.
