We got to do something a little out of the ordinary recently. Shenandoah just needed a quartet for some incidental music over the course of several nights, so we called on some alumni of SCBQ and provided what the church was looking for. We just got a few musicians together for every night they required music. They had a live nativity (which the band didn’t see) among a lot of other things, like a choir, a trio, our group, chili,…
Our first outdoor concert of this year was in the courtyard next to the Heights Community Church in Grandin Village. We played an informal and free concert during a very pleasant noon-time under the shade of the trees at the intersection of Memorial and Grandin. The program was mostly American music to go with the patriotic theme of the Memorial Day weekend. Here are some highlights from our time by the Heights:
Every year Roanoke puts on December Dickens of a Christmas nights downtown. Star City BQ got on the performance list this year, so we were caroling at the Center In The Square Building as well as on the community performance stage. In this photo we were down one member, but managed to pull off some carols anyway. From a performer point of view, Dickens is a bit of chaos, but I have to say that I personally had a lot…
Star City Brass Quintet recently had the opportunity to play the National Anthem at a Railyard Dawgs hockey game. We were excited to play for the largest crowd we have ever played for. And if you have ever been to a Dawgs game, we got a huge ovation. This is more than a performance of a ceremonial tune for 3700+ fans, it is participation in the community. Of course I had to wear my Dawgs jersey to the performance to…
Drumstick Dash is a popular Thanksgiving morning run in Roanoke. For the last several years I’ve signed up to offer some music on the course. Each year I try to use my Fender bass amp with a portable power supply, playing backing tracks off of my phone, with varying degrees of success. This year they had me set up at the Big Lick brewery. I borrowed a traffic cone to serve as a trombone stand when I wasn’t playing. Will…
Star City Brass Quintet is going to play in Grandin Village at the intersection of Grandin and Memorial on the walk way to the Heights Community Church on Saturday July 1, around lunch time. Come listen to us as you enjoy the many shops and businesses around the area and maybe drop a couple buck in the open trombone case covered with local stickers. Donations go toward buying new music and keep us playing live music for free in public….