Saturday, January 28, 2012, from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. To see the schedule, scroll to the last photo.
“From Rock to Bach” is an all-day music festival presented by the Oak Ridge Civic Music Association as a benefit for ORCMA music organizations, such as the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. It will be held in the Pollard Auditorium on the campus of Oak Ridge Associated Universities on Saturday, January 28, 2012, from 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Twenty-two groups will perform rock, pop, bluegrass, blues, folk, jazz, gospel, country, Big Band, Dixieland, klezmer, and classical music, and one performance will include a dancer and a band.
The performances will be in two venues: the auditorium and in the lobby. Each presentation will be approximately 25 minutes long. This event will be staffed entirely by volunteer workers, and all performers are volunteering their talents.
The festival will include a Secondhand Rose shop and silent auction (in a side room off the hall to the right of the main auditorium entrance). Coffee, tea, water, and soda pop, along with homemade baked goods and snack foods in packages, will be sold by ORCMA volunteers. Food will be sold by caterers for lunch and dinner. Lunch (soup, half sandwich, cookie) will be provided by the Soup Kitchen at a cost of $8 between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Dinner (lemon chicken, salad, rice, pilaf, broccoli, dessert) will be provided by the Lincoln Sports Grille at $35 per person. To make a reservation for the gala dinner from 6:15 to 7:45 p.m., during which three groups will perform a variety of music, please call Fran Silver at 865-483-4284.
The cost of the festival is $12 per person. Children 12 years old and under will be admitted for free. Attendees receiving a hand stamp may leave and return as they please during the daylong festival. For more information, call the ORCMA office at 865-483-5569.
Here are some of the groups who will perform January 28. To see the schedule, scroll to the last photo.
Two Guitarists to Present Sideways Modern Folk Music
Todd Steed (shown in photo above) has been a fixture on the local music scene for three decades, except when he leaves to go to places like Lithuania, China and Indonesia. And then he comes back and plays more music.
Joining Todd for this show is Bob Deck, recently cited by Jack Neely as one of Knoxville’s all-time great guitar players. Their shows are spontaneous and sometime off the rails, but always supply humor and heart.
Sequoyah Suzuki Strings: Kids Playing Violin Together
Karen Kartal, concertmaster of the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra, has formed two groups of her Suzuki violin students. The Sequoyah Suzuki Strings, which will play on the Pollard Auditorium stage, has 28 players. The Sequoyah Suzuki Strings Advanced Group, which will perform in the lobby, consists of eight students.
Early Bird Special Band. From left are Vern Lindsey, Steve Grimsley, Kathy Huber, and Kelly Massey.
Early Bird Special Band To Perform Folk, Gospel, Rock ‘n Roll Music
The Early Bird Special Band offers “good-time music” from the 1960s through the 1990s, such as songs from the Kingston Trio. “Sometimes we throw in something even more recent,” said banjo player Vern Lindsey, whose fellow band members include Steve Grimsley and Kathy Huber on acoustic guitar and Kelly Massey on bass. The band performs folk, gospel, and “old” rock & roll music. Lindsey said that the band’s music “simmers with wit” and offers “great harmonies and spirit.”
Back Door Band II. Counterclockwise from left are Lonnie Stokes, saxophone and clarinet; Kim Kasten, trumpet; Don Batchelor, trombone; and Mike Hayes on drums.
Back Door Band II Offers Jazz Standards and Dixieland Music
If you’re in the mood for old jazz standards and Dixieland music, you’ll love The Back Door Band II. Come hear Wendel Werner on piano (replacing Jean Stone, who is unable to perform this month), Bob Swing on bass, Mike Hayes on drums, Lonnie Stokes on saxophone and clarinet, Kim Kasten on trumpet and Don Batchelor on trombone.
Jean Stone, a founding member of The Back Door Band at an Oak Ridge pizza parlor, said that Stokes and Batchelor joined long-time members Swing, Hayes and Kasten to continue the tradition of The Back Door Band.
In Harmony with Husband & Wife Duo Liz & Tim
For 20 years husband and wife duo Liz McGeachy and Tim Marema (Liz & Tim) have been performing folk, spiritual, social justice and children’s songs, with special emphasis on the beautiful traditional music of our culturally rich Appalachian region. Accompanied by Tim’s guitar, the couple creates a clear blend of superb harmony.
Rudolph Nemeth and Wade Darnell
Banjoist and Pianist Perform Jazz Crossover Music
Progressive banjoist Wade Darnell and professional pianist Rudolph Nemeth collaborate to create a colorful medley of musical styles. Darnell experiments with various musical styles on the banjo, such as jazz, blues, rock, and classical. Nemeth, who has a master's degree in performance, is a professor at the Roane State Community College campus in Oak Ridge.
Devin O'Dell, left, Walker Marema and Zac Denmark.
Rocking with Alternative Music
Mile Walk to Denmark will take you down the road of rock and alternative music. Formed in 2008 or 2009 (there is some speculation about the actual date), the band consists of Denmark, Miles Mobley, and Walker Marema, all natives of Norris. This past year, they recorded the album "Music for Breakfast," which you can buy from iTunes or in hard copy from a band member.
Recently, Miles left for college, so a new bass player, Devin O'Dell, another native of Norris, replaced him. They are currently working on a new album, which will be released eventually.
Varying Degrees. Standing from left: Betsy Abernathy, Judy DiGregorio, Kathy Gillenwaters, and Amy Souleyrette. Seated In front is Marsha Howard.
Varying Degrees: Their Songs Range from “Danny Boy” to “Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy”
“Varying Degrees” is a group of women who love to sing three- and four-part harmony. The women, who were brought together through the Oak Ridge Playhouse, sing 1950s be-bop, Gershwin, Broadway, boogie-woogie, gospel and folk songs. Members of the group are Amy Souleyrette, soprano; Betsy Abernathy, bass and music arranger; Kathy Gillenwaters, soprano; Judy DiGregorio, alto and soprano, and Marsha Howard, piano. The group is scheduled to sing Jan. 17 on WBIR's "Live at Five at Four" TV show.
No Bars Trombone Quartet
Two UT Trombone Quartets To Present Classical, Jazz and Rock Music
Two trombone quartets from the University of Tennessee will perform a musical mix. The UT Trombone Quartet plays classical music. But the No Bars Trombone Quartet plays not only classical music but also jazz and rock numbers. Members of the UT Trombone Quartet are Drew Buckner, Sean Copeland, Daniel Reeve and Chris Sharpe. The No Bars Trombone Quartet consists of Sean Copeland, Nik Hatmaker, Myron Percy and Daniel Reeve.
Silver Winds Flute Choir
Flute Music from Folk to Religious,
From Classical to Contemporary
Ann Sterli founded Silver Winds for flutists in the East Tennessee area. After Ann moved away, Janice Veal took over the directorship. The group plays a wide variety of styles, including folk, classical, religious and contemporary music. Venues include churches, coffee houses, civic programs and charity concerts such as Fantasy of Trees. Instruments include piccolo, c flute, alto flute, bass flute, contra bass and occasionally handbells.
Clubbed Parsley: From left to right are Taylor Kress, Andrew Strader, David Laubach
and Noah Gurley.
Teen Band Offers Folk and Rock Music
Clubbed Parsley is a teen band that plays folk and rock music. Taylor Kress, Andrew Strader, David Laubach and Noah Gurley have been playing together for about a year and a half. Andrew, David and Noah have been playing with each other since the sixth grade. Taylor joined last year when he was approached to play a show with them.
“Since then we have played numerous shows all over Oak Ridge and a few in Knoxville, including a show at The Square Room,” Taylor said. “Andrew, Noah, and I all sing lead vocals on different songs, so we have a very diverse music range. We incorporate harmonies in most of our songs. Our musical style could be classified as folk/alternative. Singers who have influenced us are The Beatles, Neil Young, Dr. Dog, Tom Petty and Fleet Foxes.”
ORHS JazzKats
Oak Ridge High School Group Plays Jazz and Big Band Music
The Oak Ridge High School JazzKats, a volunteer after-school group formed in 2002, meet one evening a week to play jazz and Big Band music under the direction of Thomas Wade, performing arts chair and band director of Oak Ridge High School. They have performed for local companies and organizations, on the Orlando City Walk, and at several southeastern festivals.
Oak Ridge Suzuki Strings: From left to right: Simon Mason, Susan Shor (violin teacher), Chris Friend, Stephanie Paul, Joy Walker, Emily Shor, Aaron Beavin, Michael Ma, Bobby Krieger, and Holly Aslinger.
Oak Ridge Suzuki Strings: From Classical to Pop
About a dozen of Susan Shor’s violin and viola students, ranging in age from 9 to 16, will perform to the accompaniment of a keyboard. Shor, who plays violin in the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra, is the leader of the Oak Ridge Suzuki Strings. “We play a wide variety of music from classical to fiddle to pop,” she said. “The group also has performed at the Oak Ridge Farmers Market and at nursing homes in Oak Ridge.”
FreshWind Youth Mass Choir
FreshWind Youth Mass Choir
Sings Urban Gospel Music
FreshWind is a youth choir that comprises middle school and high school singers from East Knoxville. FreshWind's message is to encourage, inspire and motivate others while singing urban, contemporary gospel music in praise of God. The youths are directed by John L. Jackson, music director at the Community Evangelistic Church of Knoxville.
The Frost Bottom Boys play acoustic instruments but when they perform on plugged-in
instruments, they call themselves Something Scarlet.
Something Scarlet:
Americana and Rock
Something Scarlet is the new name for the plugged-in side of The Frost Bottom Boys, who have been playing around the area for four years.
The FBB began as a more traditional "olde timey" group who played bluegrass music on acoustic instruments. They they began exploring different approaches to the music using electric guitars and other plugged-in instruments.
“We noticed that many in our audience expected a straight-up bluegrass band, based on our name,” said Andy Howe, a band member. “But they would find our music wasn't at all that way.
“We felt as if we were doing a bait and switch on the audience. We decided a name change was in order for our plugged-in gigs.”
With the new name also comes new music and new influences. Something Scarlet will perform original songs that are more in the rock-and-roll vein and other pieces that venture farther away from folk and Americana music.
“We've always tried to be diverse, cross-pollinate our music and approach the material in a new way,” Howe added. “That's still very much the case with Something Scarlet.
“Those who have watched us grow and change over the past four years may not notice a drastic difference from what we've been doing lately. But with a new name, we at least hope to be a bit more honest about what the audience will hear.”
Come listen to the Frost Bottom Boys as they morph into Something Scarlet!
Something Scarlet: Susan Herrera, George Charles, Andy Howe, Jonas Mannon,
Bruce Park, Jr. and Tony Mendez.
Dan Allcott, cellist, is music director of the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra.
Allcott and Buckner to Perform Music
by Bach, the Beatles and Buckner
Singer and song writer Kaleb Buckner from the Knoxville area and Oak Ridge Symphony Music Director Dan Allcott will perform a 30-minute set of mixed classical, pop, and original music. The two first met at a coffee shop in Cookeville, where Allcott is on the faculty of Tennessee Tech. In addition to several impromptu jam sessions with friends, they have performed together at Backdoor Playhouse in Cookeville. Buckner, who sings and plays the guitar, and cellist Allcott will perform music by Bach, the Beatles and Buckner.
The Only Real McCoys
The Only Real McCoys Play Real Bluegrass
The Only Real McCoys are a group of three guys who truly love playing bluegrass. Growing up together in Lake City, Tenn., they started out playing music together in church. Blake and Aaron McCoy started The Real McCoys when they began performing bluegrass on banjo and guitar. Nick Patterson joined the brothers as their bass player. Since then the group has played at many local festivals, devoted time to several charities, and placed first in several contests.
For the past three years the band has been asked to perform bluegrass music at the Museum of Appalachia’s Fall Homecoming festival. The band, which released its first album in 2010, is currently working on a second album, with the hope of including several songs they have written.
“Our true passion for bluegrass music drives us to make bluegrass appeal to everyone,” Aaron McCoy said. The Real McCoys are well known locally for their “spin” on the classic “Foggy Mountain Breakdown.”
Come Hear the Marimba
James Clemons has been performing in Tennessee for nearly 15 years. Starting with his education at Tennessee Tech University, Clemons has made the marimba his forte. A musical instrument in the percussion family, the marimba consists of a set of wooden keys or bars with resonators. The bars are struck with mallets to produce musical tones.
Clemons has performed with the Nashville Symphony, Nashville Wind Ensemble, Bryan Symphony, and recently with the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra. He will play a mix of contemporary and classical tunes.
Tennessee Schmaltz: Rob Heller (left), Dan Shapira, Manny Herz and Larry Hoffman.
Tennessee Schmaltz Klezmer Band Is Back
The 16-year-old Tennessee Schmaltz band offers Klezmer music with humor. Its recent claims to fame include playing Bonnaroo in 2008, performing at the Rossini Festival and the Nickel Creek Sundown in the City concert in Knoxville, and appearing in a Turner South TV commercial.
The leader of the group is Rob Heller, who plays washtub base and clarinet. He teaches journalism and photography at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.
Other members are Dan Shapira, accordion, physicist at Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Manny Herz, keyboard and piano, architect and CEO of Adams, Craft, Herz, Walker in Oak Ridge; and Larry Hoffman, clarinet, chef and owner of a catering business.
The group recorded the album "Old Country Klezmer" in 2000, which includes its takes on “Tennessee Waltz” and the "Orange Blossom Special." In 2006 the band released its second album, "Pachelbel's Canon and Other Jewish Hits.” They may play their special version of “St. Louis Blues,” which they call “St. Louis Jews.”
Jefferson Middle School Orchestra
Jefferson Middle School Orchestra
To Perform Again at Festival
The Jefferson After School Orchestra consists of Jefferson Middle School orchestra students in grades 5 through 8. The students meet for one hour every Wednesday afternoon for the enjoyment of making music. They mostly work on sight reading, but perform several times during the school year. This group has performed for the Oak Ridge Board of Education meetings, school programs, holiday events, fifth grade orientation and the first From Rock to Bach Music Festival, sponsored in 2010 by the former Oak Ridge Civic Music Association Guild. The orchestra is under the direction of Martha Damiano, clarinet player and soloist in the Oak Ridge Symphony Orchestra.
Dancers practice at Dance Dimension
Dancer Ann Carter to Perform with Band
Ann Carter is both a doctor and a dancer. She will dance to the music of the Back Door Band II during the music festival. In 2002 she and her husband Philip Carter founded Dance Dimensions, Knoxville's original independent ballroom dance studio. "Dance Dimensions provides the ideal learning environment for dancers of all ages," she said. "With our state-of-the art computerized sound system and custom engineered dance floor, you can be waltzing or swinging your way to new adventures and a new you on your first lesson."
There are no memberships or contracts. "Your only commitment is to have fun and to share your joy with others," Dr. Carter said. "Ballroom dancing is becoming increasingly popular. Dance Dimensions has something to offer everyone, young or old, singles or couples, social dancers or competitors. No partner is required." Dance Dimensions is located at the corner of Kingston Pike and Gallaher View Road in the Kingston Four Center.
SCHEDULE FOR "FROM ROCK TO BACH" MUSIC FESTIVAL ON SATURDAY, JAN. 28, FROM 10:30 A.M. TO 8:30 P.M., AT POLLARD AUDITORIUM
Time Lobby Stage
11:00-11:30 Jefferson Middle School Orchestra
11:30-1:30 LUNCH
11:15-11:45 Suzuki Strings (led by Susan Shor)
11:45-12:15 Silver Winds Flute Choir
12:00-12:30 Oak Ridge High School Quintet
12:30-1:00 Sequoyah Strings (led by Karen Kartal)
12:45-1:15 Varying Degrees (female vocal quartet)
1:15-1:45 ORHS Jazz Kats (jazz and Big Band music)
1:30-2:00 Early Bird Special (folk, gospel, rock)
2:00-2:30 FreshWind Gospel Mass Choir
2:15-2:45- Liz & Tim (folk and spiritual songs)
2:45-3:15 2 UT Trombone Quartets (classical, jazz)
3:00-3:30 Dance Dimensions with Back Door Band II
3:30-4:00 Clubbed Parsley (teen folk/rock band)
3:45-4:15 Back Door Band II (Dixieland, jazz)
4:15-4:45 Simply Scarlet (Frost Bottom Boys)
4:30-5:00 The Only Real McCoys (bluegrass group)
5:00-5:30 Mile Walk to Denmark (rock group)
5:15-5:45 James Clemons, marimba
5:45-6:15 Tennessee Schmaltz (klezmer band)
6:15-7:45 DINNER
6:00-6:30 Wade Darnell, banjo, and Rudolph Nemeth, keyboard
6:45-7:15 Todd Steed, guitar, and Bob Deck, guitar
7:30-8:00 Dan Allcott, cello, and Kaleb Buckner, guitar (Bach to Beatles)
Michelle Powell
Executive Director
Phone: 865-483-5569
E-mail: office@orcma.org