Come see us this season and look whose been here over the past seasons.
An octet, eight trombones, formed from the original Bones East ensemble will perform at the Morgan Opera House as part of the village Christmas in Aurora celebration at 2pm Saturday, December 4th. Those who enjoyed the 2019 performance featuring 26 musicians squeezed onto the Opera House stage know what a thrilling concert of Christmas and secular music this promises to be. William Harris, former principal trombonist with the Syracuse Symphony and music professor at Syracuse University and Onondaga Community College serves as conductor.
The concert is FREE, but donations for the King Ferry food pantry will be gladly accepted. Masks required regardless of vaccination status.
For more information, please contact 315-364-5437 or morganopera@yahoo.com.
Before joining forces, Riche & Rosie were well-established within the ‘Old Timey Music” world, a recognized genre of American folk music that pre-dates bluegrass and stretches back to the early years of the US. The duo’s musical journey wandered through several different bands while they refined their skills and gathered a wide range of musical influences. Richie and Rosie are proof of two things: the power and magic of two people making music, and that the universal messages that lie within their songs remain timeless and an honest connection with their audience. Suggested donation: $10.
An innovative musical performance featuring original selections from their recently released CD, “Exit 33”, as well as classic compositions. Chuck Lamb played with the Dave Brubeck Quartet for many years and Peter Mack has been a respected bassist playing with his own group and other nationally known musicians. Their music reflects the deep roots both artists have in upstate NY and is inspired by an ever-expanding vision of their shared musical expression described as “joyful, bright and magical.”
Suggested donation: $10
Nothing says summer like the sound of steel drum music. The Aurora Free Library is excited to announce that the widely known and acclaimed steel band Panloco will perform Wednesday, July 13th at 7 pm at the Wells College AA Field near the golf course club house. A special educational workshop is scheduled from 5 to 6 pm for ages 8 and above. Learn the history and method of playing this unique musical instrument that got its start in the Caribbean. Both events are free and open to the public. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from the club house. Bring your chairs or a blanket for a night of island music and dancing. In case of rain, the performance will take place at the Morgan Opera House 370 Main St. Aurora
Panloco, one of Western New York’s most versatile steel bands, was formed in 1995. Led by percussionist Ted Canning, Panloco explores the unique musical qualities of the steel pan from its traditional Caribbean roots to a variety of musical forms including pop, jazz, classical. Panloco performs widely in many venues from informal parties, summer festivals to concert stages throughout New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania. https://www.panloco.com/
Panloco Director’s Bio
TED CANNING, a percussionist and native of Cleveland, Ohio, has done extensive freelance work in the northeast United States performing classical music, theater, big band and jazz. His world music studies and performances include Ghanaian, Haitian, Brazilian and Senegalese drumming in a variety of ensembles. From his start as a lead pan player and founding member of the Pandemonium Steelband of Wesleyan University, Ted now performs with the steel drum here in the US as well as in Europe and Latin America. He performs in numerous styles, from Caribbean dance music to new classical works. Ted was the steel drum soloist in performances in Siena, Italy, Mexico City, Mexico and at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City, and has performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Rochester, New York. He has performed as well with national champions “Phase II Pan Groove” in Trinidad and Tobago, and with the Moods Pan Orchestra, Crossfire and the D’Radoes steelbands in Brooklyn, New York. Ted now leads the Panloco Steelband, the “Steel Alchemy” Community Steelband, and the RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology) Steel Band. He performs with the Trinidad and Tobago Steelband, and has performed with “pan” players from Trinidad and around the world.
Since 1993, Ted has been devoted to arts in education as a lead teaching artist. He has presented performances, workshops and residencies in schools, colleges, and community settings throughout Western New York and Pennsylvania. In addition to presentations of steelband and other world musics, Ted has used music to teach fundamental curriculum skills such as math, language skills, social studies, history and science, illuminating concepts to students and opening doors to other styles of learning.
On December 3 at 1 PM, as part of Christmas in Aurora, the Bones East Octet, an eight piece trombone ensemble, will perform a family friendly holiday concert featuring popular Christmas music including Jingle Bells, The Twelve Days of Christmas and Silent Night, a few classical pieces and maybe some jazz at the Morgan Opera House. The group has performed at colleges, churches and community events and even to enthusiastic audiences at the Morgan Opera House. The eight trombonists range from semi-pros to talented students who volunteer their time and effort. The concert is free but monetary donations for the King Ferry Food Pantry are appreciated. The Morgan Opera House, 370 Main Street, Aurora, NY, is handicapped accessible using the ramp on the Cherry Avenue side of the building.
Bones East Octet is fortunate to have William Harris, former principal trombonist with the Syracuse Symphony and music professor at Syracuse University and Onondaga Community College serve as conductor and Tom Camp as Arranger and Co-Conductor.
For further information contact Wayne Blann, fwayneblann@gmail.com
The Poplar Ridge Players’ annual production of the Shepherds’ Play (our 44th year!) will be based in Aurora—at the Morgan Opera House– showtime is 7PM on Saturday, December 17. Admission is free.
The Shepherds’ Play is a Medieval play preserved by an isolated community living on an island in the Danube River and not transcribed until the late 19th Century. Parts were handed down through families—something like that has happened with our group, consisting of your friends and neighbors. Like the wonderful Middle English Second Shepherds’ Play, it blends slapstick with reverence.
The Poplar Ridge Players are grateful to the Morgan Opera House and Aurora Free Library for making the great space available.
For more information call/text Chris MacCormick at 607-351-6864
