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Packard Band celebrates 67 years of music

The W.D. Packard Concert Band will spotlight its own musicians for its 67th anniversary concert on Sunday.

The Packard trombones — Bill Forrester, Jim Jackson, Leslie Core and Mike Shevock — will be the soloists on David Rose’s “Holiday for Trombones.” Percussionists Ken Alexander, Bob Barnett and Carla Dean will be featured on Leroy Anderson’s “Sandpaper Ballet.”

Thomas A. Groth, executive director of the band, said he included “Holiday for Trombones” in memory of George Garstick, the band’s first manager.

“He was a trombone player and always included trombone pieces on the program,” Groth said.

Groth will provide narration on Marcel Peeters’ “Car,” using the automotive-inspired piece to paint a picture of what the driver of one of the first Packard automobiles would have seen driving around turn-of-the-century Warren.

Guest conductor will be Galen S. Karriker, stepping in for Stephen L. Gage.

Karriker is director of bands and professor of music at the University of Akron. He conducts the UA Wind Symphony and Concert Band. He earned his bachelor’s degree in music education from Louisiana State University and his master’s degree and doctorate from Michigan State University.

Following the traditional opener “The Star-Spangled Banner” will be Ryan Nowlin’s “A Vision and a Dream” fanfare, a past commission by the band, and “Anniversary March” by Brad Gilliland, a close friend of W.D. Packard and his first choice to lead the band. Gilliland died decades before the band’s debut in 1955.

Other selections include Jan Van der Roost’s “Puszta (Four Gipsy Dances),” an arrangement of the pop standard “Autumn Leaves,” Ernesto Lecuona’s “Malaguena” and a medley of Duke Ellington favorites.

The concert will close with a medley of marches, Groth said, something Robert E. Fleming frequently programmed during his tenure as band conductor. The medley will include Parker Gains’ “Wildcat” march, Ken Alexander’s Percussion Interlude and Nowlin’s “Oh, Henry!” concert march.

The concert starts at 3 p.m. Sunday at Packard Music Hall, 1703 Mahoning Ave. NW, Warren.

The band also will have its annual Sweetest Day Dance from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 13 at the Music Hall.

Vocalist Tania Grubbs will join the Big Band Sound of Packard, led by Daniel Carioti, for an evening of dance music.

Admission for both events is free, and funding is provided by the W.D. Packard trust.

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