Lucas: Lowcountry Wind Symphony -- they're back and exploring the possibilities
They may have an upright bass but the Lowcountry Wind Symphony is not an orchestra.
It's not a marching band or a jazz ensemble either.
What it is, though, is a group of more than 50 musicians -- some professional, some amateur -- dedicated to exploring the possibilities of good music.
Their latest performance coming up next weekend will do just that.
"Concert Classics -- Exploring What's Musically Possible" will be the third performance the relatively new concert band has given since it formed in the fall of 2014.
Chris Raskind who plays clarinet with the group says if you're "mystified" by what they are, just think brass, woodwind and percussion.
"(Wind) is just another name for a concert band," said Raskind, a former music teacher who has been with the group since it first formed more than a year ago with only about 20 musicians.
Since then, the Lowcountry Wind Symphony has grown steadily, even outgrown the church in Bluffton where they previously performed.
As Raskind explained, the idea of writing music for a group of wind instruments was common in Europe around the time of Mozart. Today the designation, "wind symphony" is often used by university concert bands.
Whatever the case, the group continues to enjoy playing together and encourages each other to grow as musicians.
"We are a pretty collegial bunch," she said.
All performances are free, though the group will accept donations and all of the group's musicians -- including its artistic directors -- are volunteers.
"We welcome anyone who is serious about playing," Raskind said.
If You Go
The Lowcountry Wind Symphony will present "Concert Classics - Exploring What's Musically Possible" at 3 p.m. Jan. 31, at St. John's Lutheran Church, 157 Lady's Island Drive, Beaufort.
The program will feature "Unfinished Symphony -- Movement I" by Schubert, "Bugler's Holiday" by Leroy Anderson, "Toccata" by Frescobaldi, "The Triumph of the Argonauts" by Sheldon, and a special arrangement of "Amazing Grace."
The concert is free; donations are accepted.
For more information visit www.lowcountrywindsymphony.com.
Interested players may contact Chris Raskind 843-838-6744 or Anton Ross 843-338-7459.
Follow reporter Mindy Lucas on Twitter at twitter.com/MindyatIPBG.
Related content:
- Lucas: 4 performances in 4 genres this week in area arts, Jan. 14, 2016
This story was originally published January 23, 2016 at 5:17 PM with the headline "Lucas: Lowcountry Wind Symphony -- they're back and exploring the possibilities."