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Serving up Brass a la Carte
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Anonymous user Tue Oct 3, 2006 13:37:21 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments Visual and performing arts coordinator for the Bakersfield City Schools, Michael D. Stone, ia an active member of a brass quartet that will perform in concert Oct. 29 at First Congregational Church in Bakersfield. 

The 4 p.m. event in the church sanctuary at 5 Real Road is free and open to the public.
   
The four Bakersfield musicians, who all started playing their brass instruments as children in local elementary schools, comprise Brass a la Carte.

The group originated in 1989 under the leadership of Sal Panelli, who currently serves as band director at Freedom Middle School in the Rosedale Union School District. Panelli is also active as trumpeter in the Bakersfield Symphony, the Bakersfield Winds and the Ronnie K. Big Band.
   
Stone describes their music as diversified, “Everything from ragtime to classical to new jazz and traditional Renaissance music.” 

The program on Oct. 29 will feature “Flight of the Bumblebee” and “Procession of the Nobles,” but will also include original works, jazz and Dixieland pieces.
   
As a euphoniumist and trombonist, Stone was a finalist for the U.S. Air Force Band in Washington, D.C. in 1988. He now oversees arts programs at 31 elementary schools, six middle schools and two junior high schools.
   
Michael C. Raney, the third member of Brass a la Carte, is active on trumpet in many musical groups locally, including the Bakersfield Symphony where he was recently named principal trumpet. He also is an American Board Certified optician at Southwest Eye Care and Laser.
   
Ron Christian, who plays trombone, has been a professional musician for 26 years.  Before returning to Bakersfield in 1991, he freelanced as a trombonist and arranger with a variety of groups in Los Angeles. Locally, he is the school music specialist for Stockdale Music and recently completed a degree in music composition at Cal State University Bakersfield under the guidance of Dr. Doug Davis. 
  
 “We practice as needed, usually monthly,” Stone said. “The group gives us the opportunity to be social through our music and play wonderful music at a high level.”
  
The First Congregational Church Sunday afternoon concert series began last month with Duo Cantilena, a flute and harp duet with Nancy Ayala and Laura Porter. Brass a la Carte is the second concert of the series. The third concert will feature CSUB professor Dr. Gordon Mehling on violin on Feb. 11, and the next will be a clarinet choir on April 29. The last concert of the season will be a Los Angeles wind ensemble featuring Tom Williams on the oboe on May 6.
   
The series, which will continue for many years, is  a gift to the community from the estate of Beverly and Fred Dukes, local educators and philanthropists who died in 2005.

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