Concerts in the Park

March 11th, 2010

On Thursday nights in July and August, Spirit of America will perform a series of free concerts at Eldredge Park in its hometown of Orleans, Massachusetts. Bring family and friends, share a picnic, and come enjoy beautiful music on a summer evening. For dates, click here.


New CD in the works

March 11th, 2010

Spirit of America Wind Ensemble is preparing to record a new CD of beautiful hymn arrangements, to be released in November. Stay tuned for more info!


“Ameriscapes”

March 5th, 2010

Spirit of America’s Winter Percussion returned from their first competition of the season in Blackstone, MA on Sunday, February 28th with a score of 80.75! SOA WP performs “Ameriscapes” this weekend in Trumbull, CT at WGI Regionals. For schedule of upcoming shows click here.


Tenor Sax Wanted!

January 27th, 2010

Spirit of America Band is looking for a tenor sax player to join us for this year’s show. We would love to have you at our March camp — please contact us if you are interested!


Profile of the Month

January 18th, 2010

member-profile-thumb-CS

Name: Cori Shannon
Age: 25
Years of Service: 9
Current section/instrument: Color Guard
SOA involvement: Color Guard, 9 years; Winter Percussion, 3 years as a performer, 3 years as a coach
Favorite Aspect of SOA: Working with kids in clinics
Greatest band challenge: Taking on the main role of “Annie” with only 2 days notice for last summer’s production of “Exploration”
Best band moment: Practicing for the World Championships in Korea: when we played the Korean folk song as part of the show, the locals recognized it and stopped to watch and listen. I loved the connection between cultures!


SOA in Mashpee!

December 13th, 2009

July 24, 2010 – Spirit of America has been invited to perform at Mashpee Commons! Check back for details.


WP in session

December 12th, 2009

WP-thumbRimshot out of a cannon: Spirit of America’s Winter Percussion ensemble is well on their way to a fabulous show for 2010! The 25 members are exploring works by Aaron Copland, in a musical and visual depiction of rivers, plains and mountains. These young musicians are up to lots of new tricks: besides perfecting their new music and drill, they’re now playing hand bells, and they’re working on a three-way battery, pit and dance swap mid-number! Stay tuned for updates from WP. For their camp and show schedule, click here.


Midwest Band Clinic

December 12th, 2009

The Midwest Band Clinic in Chicago was great! Thanks to all of you stopped by our booth. It was so nice to meet you! We hope that you will take a minute to visit our Auditions page and fill out an application. We would love to have you join us for the 2010-2011 seasons!


New Music for WP

December 11th, 2009

WP received the second half of their show music today! The kids are hot on the practice rooms, eager to get this second half of the show under their belts before camp on December 12. Go WP!


Story: Exploration 2010

December 5th, 2009

The writing team met to narrow down the story line for Exploration 2010, and this year, we’re going to Appalachia! Our story follows a photographer named Annie, who launches out from her small hometown in the Midwest, to find her way in New York City. When success and fame begin to outweigh her integrity, she is redirected by her Nana to go back to her roots and find her stardust.


Summer Tour 2010!

December 1st, 2009

Spirit of America is scheduling its 2010 summer tour for June 26-July 11. Check back for details!


South Africa 2011

December 1st, 2009

south-africa-thumbIn September of 2011, Spirit of America travels to South Africa! SOA will travel to Durban, where the band will give workshops, and help launch a field band program for the South African young people. In Johannesburg, SOA will give performances of Instrumental Theater: in motion in theaters, and will lead workshops as part of the “Joburg Arts Alive International Festival.” In 2011, “Arts Alive” celebrates arts from other nations — a perfect opportunity for SOA. In between, SOA plans to help build Community Center, which will be used not only for music, but for health clinics, and other community gatherings. More details to follow.


WP Drill with James Sparling

November 28th, 2009

WP had a great day with drill writer James Sparling! The kids learned the first half of the show today. They’ll keep polishing now until James returns in January to teach the rest of the show!


Call to Freedom Review!

November 25th, 2009

The first recording by Spirit of America, Call to Freedom: The Music of a Great Nation, received a fabulous review from Audiophile Audition. Reviewer Steven Ritter said the sound was: “bright yet warm when needed, and nicely attuned to the glories of a full-out wind band. All should be congratulated on a superior job, and I hope there will be more to come in the years that follow.” Buy your copy now!


WP Floor is Here!

November 24th, 2009

The WP floor is here and it’s stunning! Take a look at this beautiful depiction of Rivers, Plains and Mountains.
WP-Floor-2009_10-no-grid


SOA Assignments for Exploration 2010

November 12th, 2009

At an exciting meeting tonight the Field Band received their new assignments for the 2010 season! Sneak Preview: the show will open with EVERYONE on brass for “Fanfare for the Common Man.” Features later on include everyone on woodwinds, and a closer for guard and percussion – including 40 bass drums! So brass players are picking up woodwinds and vice versa, percussionists are trying their hand at wind instruments, and the guard is expanding their skill set with instruments and drums as well as guard equipment. It’s going to be incredible!


New Music for Exploration 2010

October 28th, 2009

Director Richard K. Pugsley met with Show Designer Colin McNutt and Music Arranger Michael Klesch in Franklin, MA today, to settle on an outline and musical themes for Exploration 2010. The band was psyched to learn that field show will feature the music of Aaron Copland!


Winter Percussion Music in the Bag

September 30th, 2009

WP has the first half of their show music in the bag – arrangements of Aaron Copland’s “Scherzo” from his Organ Symphony, and Appalachian Spring, arranged by Seagull 7 and Ian Hale. Coming soon: drill from James Sparling!


Winter Percussion Designs Underway

July 15th, 2009

Design concepts for Winter Percussion’s 2010 show are underway – teams have been established for the design of the floor, costumes and set!


Free concerts in Orleans

July 9th, 2009

Spirit of America Wind Ensemble performed a series of free concerts at Eldredge Park in Orleans in July 2009. This collaboration with the Lower Cape Outreach Council helped raise spirits and funds for the needy on Cape Cod. Click here to see a schedule of next summer’s concerts!


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