Saturday, March 12, 2011

Hamiet Bluiett to direct "The Big Orchestra Band, Youth Division" on Saturday, March 26 at Metropolitan Gallery

When he's not working in New York or on tour in Europe, baritone sax great Hamiet Bluiett has spent a lot of his time back home in the St. Louis area working with music students. He's emphasized his educational efforts so much that in recent years, it sometimes seems like he's performed as often locally with players young enough to be his grandchildren - or even great-grandchildren - as with his peers.

Continuing along those same lines, Bluiett (pictured) will unveil his latest project, The Big Orchestra Band, Youth Division, in a concert presented by the Nu-Art Series at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, March 25 at the Metropolitan Gallery, 2936 Locust St. downtown.

The group is a 50-member ensemble made up of kids participating in school and community center music programs in St. Louis City, St. Louis County and East St. Louis. They'll perform some of Bluiett's compositions that have been arranged specifically for them, with the composer conducting and - if past performances with other young musicians are any indication - perhaps joining in on his own instrument from time to time as well.

Tickets for "The Music of Hamiet Bluiett performed by The Big Orchestra Band, Youth Division" are $10 for general admission and will be available at the door.

No comments: