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From the President
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Greetings friends of DCDD,
Can you believe it Fall is upon us and you know what that means? Nope, not golden leaves and cool nights, not the sound of trick or treaters, it's BAND CAMP TIME!
For those of you new to DCDD, every year we have a retreat in the wilds of Elmer, New Jersey, affectionately called BAND CAMP. It's the time when the whole Symphonic band gets away from our regular lives for a weekend of very intense rehearsals and yes, socializing.
For those who have missed this yearly event in the past they have felt like the whole band has gone light years ahead from where they were before band camp, leaving them to try to catch up.
The other magic thing that happens at band camp is we really bond as a community. New friends are made and old friendships reinforced. There is something about sharing all the hard work, the bonfire and the camp food that really brings us all together.
Many of you may have heard "stories" about band camp and while they may all be true, I'll never tell... You'll have to ask someone else.
Just know that because of all this hard work, our audience will experience a most exciting musical experience at our October concert and now you will know why, BAND CAMP!
Musically yours!
Stan
Stan Goff
President,
DC's Different Drummers
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Composer Spotlight - Johan de Meij
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Johan de Meij (Voorburg, 1953) studied trombone and conducting at the Royal Conservatory of Music at The Hague. He has earned international fame as a composer and arranger. His catalogue consists of original compositions, symphonic transcriptions and arrangements of film scores and musicals.
De Meij's Symphony No. 1 The Lord of the Rings, based on Tolkien's best-selling novels of the same name, was his first substantial composition for symphonic band and received the prestigious Sudler Composition Award in 1989. In 2001, the orchestral version was premiered by the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. The Lord of the Rings was recorded over twenty times, performed by renowned orchestras such as the London Symphony Orchestra and the Nagoya Philharmonic Orchestra.
Besides composing, Johan de Meij is very active in various musical fields. He is a trombonist with the orchestra "De Volharding" (The Perseverance), and as a regular substitute with various other ensembles and orchestras. He is much in demand as a guest conductor and clinician: he conducted concerts and led seminars in almost all European countries, in Japan, Singapore, Brazil, and the United States.
More on the de Meij Homepage.
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Beer Blast at the Eagle
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Join us on Sunday, October 8 at the DC Eagle for a Beer Blast and Cookout.
We'll be cooking up hotdogs and hamburgers with all the fixins' and plenty of ice-cold beer.
The DC Eagle is located at 639 New York Avenue, NW, near the Gallery Place and Mount Vernon Metro Stops.
That's Columbus Day weekend, so many folks will have Monday off.
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Looney Tunes and Fairy Tales
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A whimsical Halloween Concert, full of magic, mayhem, wizards, hobbits, and something Wicked.
Featured in the concert is the Symphony No. 1, Lord of the Rings by Johan de Meij. The Symphony was written in the mid-1980's and calls to mind some of the characters - Gandalf, Galadriel and sinister Gollum, and the places - Lothlorien, the Shire, and the dismal Mines of Moria.
Other works on the program include a dance feature on The Sorcerer's Apprentice, a Percussion feature on Copland's Hoedown, and a medley of "Looney Tunes" that will make you long for Saturday morning cartoons.
Come in costume - but come and enjoy this magical concert.
The concert will be at 8:00 p.m., October 27 & 28 at the Reformation Lutheran Church on Capitol Hill.
Ticket prices are $15.00 in advance, $20.00 at the door. Senior Citizen and Student tickets are available at the door for $10.00
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Silent Auction - October 27 & 28
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Please think of items, services or luxuries that you can donate for our silent auction October 27th and 28th.
It can be something you already own, or something you buy and donate.
Last year, we were able to sell every single item we put up on the block for bids.
Some examples of items we sold last year are inexpensive costume jewelry (can be music themed or not, we sold earrings and a saxophone lapel pin), a crocheted scarf, a set of four coasters with a musical theme, DVDs (even if you have already watched them).
Also, gift certificates to your favorite restaurant (we sold several of those), if you, or someone you know owns a condo at a vacation spot and can donate a weekend, that would be great! Framed art prints sold really well last year.
We really need your help with this important fundraising event. It was very successful last fall, and we can repeat this success if we have your help.
Please contact Dean Reichard to make a donation. Thank you.
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You're hot - but do you play the piano?
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DCDD's premier swing band, is in need of a keyboard player.
Previous experience with swing and jazz music is desired. Must be able to read music.
Ideal candidate will have a love of music, an entusiasm for performace and a desire to play solos (both written and improvised).
Come join the fun of DC Swing!
Please email our Director at cmrchris@aol.com.
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