All posts by Zachary Singer

Bio Zachary Singer earned his Bachelor of Music Degree from San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2012 and Master of Music Degree from The University of Texas-Austin in 2014. His passion for playing percussion has led to performing in some of the greatest concert halls in the world including The Berliner Philharmonie, The National Concert Hall in Taipei and The Kennedy Center. Zachary joined the Jackson Hole Community Band in May 2015 as a percussionist. Since then, he has taken on more music projects in Jackson. When announced In March 2016, Zachary jumped at the opportunity to lead the JHCB as the new director. He is very excited to work with a group of well rounded musicians and expand his musical prowess.

A Wrinkle in 3/4 Time

As the season continues, we take the time to reflect on the past. From the dawn of man to the modern day banging of so many percussion instruments. What’s the difference, you ask? Not much. Our upcoming Spring Concert is full of thoughtful moments that reflect upon how far music has come since our caveman roots. From baroque style music like J.S. Bach to impressionist music of Debussy to the classic 1960’s rock n’ roll of the Beatles. There’s so much for the musicians of the community band to learn. And the best part of this learning experience is it’s fun!

It’s amazing to see musicians eyes light up when they listen to the sounds of medieval modal music being infused with an almost ethereal-like quality of sounds from the woodwinds and percussion (bells and bowls!). Of course, what Jackson Hole Community Band concert doesn’t feature a march or two. This concert will once again feature the sounds of Sousa from his Black Horse Troop. Perhaps not the most well known of his marches, but it does bring that classic Sousa feel from the bottom of your tapping foot. But Sousa isn’t the only one claiming the march music spotlight. This concert also features the music of Paul Hindemith’s Symphonic Metamorphosis. Originally a four movement piece, the community band is playing the ambitiously difficult, yet thrilling march movement. Based off of a piano duet composed by Carl Maria Von Weber, Hindemith is a master at transposing the somewhat simple dimensions of two pianos to an entire orchestra, or in this case wind band.

The expanded percussion section, how many faces do you recognize? (Click for larger view.)

Perhaps the most fascinating of pieces lined up for this Spring Concert is a piece by Texas resident John Mackey. His piece, Foundry, shows how much he loves percussion. As the name implies, this piece is a gritty, mechanical piece that features a multitude of percussion instruments. What makes this piece so special to the musicians of the band is it’s need for more percussion players from different sections of the winds. When offered the opportunity, members of the trumpet, saxophone and flute sections offered to chip in their help with the percussion section. This piece represents the future of percussion music and it’s many fascinating colors.

As conductor of the band, I can’t be more excited for our epic journey through time! When April 21st arrives, it will be impossible to wipe the joyous grin from this conductors face! I hope you dear readers will be smiling along with me!

Ciao!

-Zach Singer

Related Images:

2 Holiday Concerts

Dear townsfolk,

Celebrate the holidays with the Jackson Hole Community Band. We will have two festive (free) concerts in Star Valley and Jackson. Our program will feature such classics as “Sleigh Ride” and “A Christmas Festival”. This year we will also bring Christmas movie magic with music from “Home Alone”, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” and “Christmas Vacation”. A fun time will be had by all!

We’re also excited to be performing for our Star Valley audience for a second time! Star Valley provides some very talented high school musicians and our attendance is our way of saying thank you to their friends, family and community. Don’t forget to spread the word!

Sunday, December 11th, 4:00 pm
Star Valley High School

445 Swift Creek Lane , Afton, WY

Saturday, December 17th, 7:00 pm
Center for the Arts Theater

265 S. Cache, Jackson WY

Please bring a nonperishable food item for donation to the local food cupboard.

grinch2

“Welcome, Christmas, bring your cheer. Cheer to all Whos far and near. Christmas Day is in our grasp, so long as we have hands to clasp. Christmas Day will always be just as long as we have we. Welcome Christmas while we stand, heart to heart, and hand in hand.”-How the Grinch Stole Christmas

Cheers,

Zachary Singer

holidayposter2016-1

Related Images:

Conductor News

Dear Musicians and Friends of the Community,

This season is going to be an exciting one! As I study scores of music for our upcoming Old Bill’s concert, it only makes me more anxious to bring to life the music written with a group of talented and driven musicians. Since I’ve joined the Jackson Hole Community Band last year as a percussionist, my life in Jackson has been given a purpose.

As the new director of the band, my goal is to bring a new energy and artistic style to the group that still retains the same fun environment I came into over a year ago. I feel that Old Bills is great to start off the season because it will have that familiar excitement right off the bat. When the Halloween concert music comes into play, I feel the group will be ready to take on some new ideas. I’ve already picked a piece that features a great number of musical effects, including my personal favorite, the water gong. There will also be a piece by P.D.Q. Bach that brings a very humorous and unexpected take on band music. Further down the road, I hope to find a piece that involves electronics.

I have no doubt 2016-17 is going to be a fun season! With the support of friends, family and community, it’s a no-brainer.

Cheers,
-Zach Singer

Rehearsals begin this Thursday, August 25th, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Center for the Arts, upstairs in the performing arts wing.

Related Images: