A blast of brass for the fourth

Solid brass returns to the Wildflower Music Festival

WHITE MILLS, PA — Saturday, June 30 marks the return of the group Solid Brass to the Wildflower Theater on the grounds of the Dorflinger-Suydam Wildlife Sanctuary. With 10 brass players and a percussionist, Solid Brass is the only ensemble of its kind in North America. The sound of brass should be just the ticket for the weekend before July Fourth, with its evocation of marching bands and martial music.

Founded in 1982, Solid Brass is recognized by audiences and critics alike as one of the premier brass groups in the country. The members of the ensemble are some of the New York area’s finest musicians, who have performed at Lincoln Center with the Metropolitan Opera and New York City Opera orchestras, New York City Ballet orchestra, Broadway shows, movies and television as well as a host of appearances as orchestral and chamber musicians in the metropolitan area.

Solid Brass has recorded on the Musical Heritage Society label, Dorian Recordings, Joseph Grado Signature Recordings and Craig Dory Recordings, has appeared on PBS TV’s “The State of the Arts” and is a recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and has performed in Mexico and Canada.

Less high-tech and polished than its big (though younger) brother Bethel Woods, the Wildflower Music Festival gives audiences the opportunity to listen to music in an environment that is not only bucolic but also low-key and intimate. Guests are invited to bring lawn chairs and pack a picnic to enjoy the pristine setting. Picnics may also be ordered in advance from The Settlers Inn, Hawley, PA. Light beverages will be for sale on the sanctuary grounds.

In the event of inclement weather, the performance will be held at the air-conditioned auditorium at the Wallenpaupack Area High School.

Upcoming concerts in the series include Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players, Melissa King and PhatGrass, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band (special $30 ticket), the Wildflower Steppingstones Young Artist Concert with Elan Royster and Laura Frey and others.