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Guest Conductors Smith and Wilson: Bicentennial Collection

16 Aug 2016 | United States Marine Band

This week’s #MusicMonday release features W. Paris Chambers’ march “The Boys of the Old Brigade,” conducted by George Wilson, and Leonard B. Smith’s “Music Festival March,” conducted by the composer himself. From “Bicentennial Collection Disc 10: Guest Conductors,” “The Boys of the Old Brigade” was recorded June 27, 1978, at the Interlochen Bowl at National Music Camp in Interlochen, Mich., and “Music Festival March” was recorded March 30, 1984, at the American Bandmasters Association Convention in Gammage Auditorium, Tempe, Ariz.

Smith and Chambers on YouTube

From the recording program booklet:
Dr. Leonard B. Smith is the last living example of the professional civilian bandmaster/composer. Longtime cornet soloist of the Goldman Band, Dr. Smith was principal trumpet of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and of the Ford Sunday Evening Hour broadcasts. For many years, he also anonymously performed the stirring trumpet call for the “Lone Ranger” radio broadcasts. He formed his own professional concert band in Detroit, first called the Belle Isle Concert Band and later the Detroit Concert Band. He made dozens of wonderful recordings and was especially influential in keeping alive the great American concert band tradition. In addition to his considerable skills as a performer and conductor, Dr. Smith is a gifted composer as well. This performance of his “Music Festival March” from 1984 captures the particular magic of a Leonard Smith march performance.

W. Paris Chambers’ “Boys of the Old Brigade” is a virtuoso display piece for the low brass of the band. This performance comes from the National Music Camp at Interlochen, and is conducted by George Wilson, the longtime head of the Music Camp and guest conductor during the band’s appearance there.