My Friends,

Attached is the press release for my recital and links to directions to the venue. If you live nearby and have a chance to drop by, come hear it. Thanks.

WEST POINT BAND CHAMBER MUSIC RECITAL - PRIMAL CLARINET

West Point, NY – Christopher Jones will present a diverse recital of music for clarinet. The program will include works by Paul Hindemith, Walter Hartley, John Mackey, Philip Parker and others. Jones will be joined by Ruthanne Schempf on piano and several members of the West Point Band on various brass and percussion instruments. The recital is free and open to the public on Saturday, April 17th at 7:30 p.m. in the West Point Band’s home, Egner Hall, 685 Hardee Place, West Point, New York, 10996.

The gritty, raw emotion of German romanticism and modern drums will be performed on Primal Clarinet, by clarinetist Christopher Jones, pianist Dr. Ruthanne Schempf and members of the West Point Band. Romantic opera composer Carl Maria von Weber wrote his Clarinet Concerto #1, Op. 73, for Heinrich Bärmann in 1811. Soulful melodies with passionate, virtuosic passages make this one of the top all-time concertos for clarinet. German composer Paul Hindemith wrote the Sonate for clarinet and piano in 1939 while he was living in Hungary. Stressed relations with the Nazi party eventually led to his move to the U.S. in 1940. Like the Weber, the Hindemith Sonate presents a wide variety of emotions, especially reminiscent of the turbulent time period.

The Parker Five Bagatelles and Hartley Two Dances were both written in the 1980s and present a lighter mood than the previous works. However, they provide that primal urge to tap your foot. John Mackey’s Damn, for amplified clarinet and four percussion, is one of the most exciting new, short clarinet works available. Written in 1998, it was used by the U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swim Team for competition. Also performing on this recital is trumpeter Eric Miller and percussionists Rone Sparrow, David Bergman, Nathan Eby and Eric Garcia.

For concert information, cancellations and updates, call the Academy Band’s 24-hour hotline at (845) 938-2617; or visit us on the Internet at www.westpoint.edu/band.

Press Release

West Point Directions

West Point Map

Sincerely,