SUNY Fredonia Trombone Choir to Perform in Medina | Arts & Culture

School of Music Ensemble to Perform at St. Mary’s R.C. Church

MEDINA, NY

Most folks are familiar with the trombone.  

Everyone knows what it looks like- it’s the long, odd looking brass instrument with the oblong slide.  They’ve heard the instrument in marching bands, jazz ensembles, and orchestras.  It’s the one that makes those big, slurry, jazzy sounds.  It looks like fun to play.    

And, everyone knows that “seventy-six trombones led the big parade.” 

Even Frank Sinatra was inspired by the trombone.  “The thing that influenced me most was the way Tommy Dorsey played his trombone…” said Sinatra. “It was my idea to make my voice work in the same way as a trombone—not sounding like them, but ‘playing’ the voice...” 

So, it’s fair to say that pretty much everybody knows something about the venerable trombone. 

What most folks are not familiar with is a twenty-four trombone ensemble: the trombone choir.

On Saturday evening, February 18, just such an ensemble will be performing in Medina and the very thought of it has area trombonists very excited indeed.  

The Orleans Renaissance Group (ORG) is bringing the SUNY Fredonia (School of Music) Trombone Choir to perform in the cavernous sanctuary of St. Mary’s R.C. Church, a place well-known for its remarkable acoustics.  

The ensemble and the venue are a perfect match.

 Ric Jones is director of the Genesee Chorale and Orchestra, owner of Imagine Music Publishing and a member of ORG.  Recalling his days studying the trombone at Ithaca College.  He’s fired up about this concert.

“I remember when I was in college and I told people I played in the trombone choir.  It usually was received with a chuckle or some type of silence because people really didn’t know what to think of it or what it even was.  But when they heard the sound, they were hooked!” said Jones.

 “The sound of a trombone choir is like one you’ve never heard before.  A trombone choir can create the most triumphant sound you’ve ever heard and then a sound so beautiful it will bring tears to your eyes.  I can’t wait to hear that glorious sound echoing off the walls of St. Mary’s.” 

Long-time Medina resident and Lyndonville Band Director David Stacey is a trombonist, and studied the instrument at SUNY Fredonia.  

“I first heard a trombone choir waaay back in middle/high school, and it would have been the Eastman Trombone Choir.” said Stacey.  “The trombone choir has a beautiful, mellow and warm sound that is incredibly unique.  I love the sound of a male choir and the trombone choir has the same effect.”  

“I am certain that people hearing the Fredonia group at St. Mary's will be in awe of the beautiful deep and rich sound of the choir.  There's a reason why the trombone is referred to as ‘God's instrument.’”

Carl Mazzio is the Director of the Fredonia Trombone Choir.  He is also retired Principal Trombonist with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra (1995-2002) and performed in St. Mary’s during one of the BPO’s early concerts sponsored by ORG.  

Mr. Mazzio has worked with many of the great orchestral conductors and musicians of our time including Kurt Masur, Herbert Blomstedt, Mstislav Rostropovich, Itzhak Perlman, Yo-Yo Ma,  Jessye Norman, Doc Severinsen, and Aretha Franklin.  

He relates that the ensemble will perform a wide range of music, sacred to secular, pop to classical.

Said Mazzio, “The choir will perform a variety of music spanning four centuries, from Gabrieli to Gershwin and groups of four to twenty-four.” The concert will feature not only the trombone choir but also two trombone quartets from within the ensemble.  

As a last minute addition to the program, the finale will feature a collaboration between the Trombone Choir and Holy Trinity Music Director and Organist, Aaron R. Grabowski.  The ensemble, with accompaniment from the Barckhoff pipe organ, will perform the piece Feierlicher Einzug by Richard Strauss- a magnificently rousing finale. 

Christopher Busch, Vice-President of ORG said the concert is generating interest. "People are talking about this concert.  They are intrigued by this large ensemble of trombones- and they should be.  The mighty sound this group will create in this space will be absolutely thrilling.  Having played the instrument, I can tell you that I am very excited for this event."

The concert is set for Saturday, February 18 at St. Mary’s R.C. Church in Medina.  Doors open at 6:15 p.m. with concert time being at 7:00 p.m.  Additional information may be found at the ORG website: http://www.eggstreet.org.

General seating tickets are $10 single and $20 family and are available at the Book Shoppe in Medina, online at http://www.eggstreet.org, and at the door.  

Proceeds from the concert benefit the ongoing Bent’s Opera House Restoration Project.  

Last December, ORG Board President, Merle “Skip” Draper announced that the Bruce T. Williams Foundation of Buffalo awarded ORG a matching funds grant in the amount of $15,000.  

“Folks always want to know how they can help and I tell them that support of events like this are critical to the restoration of Bent’s Opera House,” said Draper 

“Proceeds from our events help us meet our matching grant obligation- it helps us meet with architects and engineers; it will help us repair the roof and restore the façade. Please help us by supporting this event!” 

Busch agrees completely with Draper. "I've heard countless people say, 'I hope it (Bent's restoration) happens!' It's happening now!  We are working diligently literally right now on substantive plans with architects and engineers that will transform the building.  For that to continue, we need your support at events like this."

As an extra added incentive to support ORG, each ticket is worth 10% off their bill at Zambistro Restaurant in Medina during the month of February.  The offer may be redeemed both before or after the concert date.  Offer details are on the back of each ticket.