Review: Music educators applauded
By Joy McLean
Special to the Argus Observer
Saturday, November 21, 2009 9:32 PM PST
ONTARIO — Music educators took center stage Nov. 14 when the Treasure Valley Swing Band, a.k.a. Ed’s Big Band, appeared in concert as part of the Community Concert series at the Four Rivers Performing Arts Theatre in Ontario.
An enthusiastic audience lined up at the theater doors, which were locked as we entered the building. As the doors opened, a rush of activity heightened the anticipation, setting the stage for a tuneful evening of hits covering music of the ’40s, ’50s, ’60s and more.
Community Concert President Mary Beth McLean welcomed the audience, the band of 21 professional musicians and their director, Skip Bicknese, who also directs the Ontario High School Band. As the songs began to roll, lifetime memories began to take shape for many of us. One gal started to dance in the aisle, and there were many others who would have gladly joined her. Music makes the world go round, they say, and even many of the children in the audience appeared to be enjoying it.
As the band performed and the members stepped forward to play instrumental solos, their outstanding virtuosity defied description. Time and again, the applause rang out, reminding me of the time we danced to Duke Ellington’s Band at an Air Force base many years ago.
The respect and total dedication that the music educators have for performing and sharing their talents speaks well for the importance of music/band as a class taught in most of our schools.
Near the end of their performance, Fruitland High School band instructor Joel Williams told the story of how the Treasure Valley Swing Band originated. Hats off to Williams, his friend Evan Lee and Skip Bicknese, who were able to motivate so many fine musicians to build a band of this caliber.
Two standing ovations were given plus an encore featuring the sax of Dr. Bob Armstrong of Treasure Valley Community College.
The views and opinions expressed in this column are not necessarily those of the Argus Observer.
