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 麻豆频道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 Syracuse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 麻豆频道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., Syracuse). 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.
