Another fine turnout of lovers of great music, performed by the Bel Air Community Band Sunday afternoon. This was a special ‘spring concert’ that concluded with a masterful arrangement, “Anthem” composed by Patrick Burns, who was on hand for the first ever performance. Anthem is dedicated to the life and talent of the late Ray Dombrowski, who’s career at Bel Air High School and throughout the state are legendary.
His wife, Esther, was on hand to receive a large ovation from those present who remember all the contributions by Ray Dombrowski…also known as “Mr. D.”
It was my pleasure to meet Mr. Burns, a most personable chap who actually ‘really never met Mr. D.,’ but accepted the commission to compose the tribute piece.
Accompanied by his wife, Patrick enjoyed the concert with me and gave me a chance to share some observations about the band.
Today’s concert began at 3 p.m. With Carlisle (March), which was rousing. Gemeinhardt Suite emphasizing the flute section and soloist Phyllis Fowler who played an assortment of flutes for the three movements.
The third movement, Ceremony for Flute and Drum reminded me of an army of butterflies marching off to war. Funny how a band as good and finely tuned as Bel Air’s is, can take you miles from the seat you’re in. Sometimes just closing your eyes will allow the symphonic images to take you miles away to far off and unknown lands.
At this time Assistant Director, Ron Burke, took the podium to conduct two pieces. Jubilant Overture, a celebration of Spring and youth, is considered by some to be composer Alfred Reed at his best. The melody line passes from the clarinet section, to the low brass and then through out the band to create a delightful escape to a warm gentle Spring Day filled with activity.
The romp through space and time recalls another of Reed’s creations, “El Camino Real” a gem performed at the previous concert christening the new Bel Air Auditorium.
Obviously Mr. Reed has the material to win over both the members of the band and audiences as well.
The second piece, Pursuit by Matt Conaway, tells the tale of a convict on the run, the band carrying us along with the pursued, fast and slow, ponderous and prompt. Again the conductor was Ron Burke who did a lively, animated job with the baton.
Following intermission Patrick Burns took the stage and conducted the band in Flight of Years…a pristinely moving work recalling the fleeting life we have in terms of the grand scheme of things. “Tempus fugit” took on new meaning as I listened to this score.
The grand finale of the day of course went to ‘Mr. D.’ with the first ever performance of “Anthem” with the composer conducting. Mr. Burns scoured musical influences that harken the life and times of the late Bel Air High School musical director.
“I combined my composition with influences from Mr. Dombrowski’s background and the Polish national anthem,” Burns noted before presenting his work. It was beautiful, and complete in the circumference of paying tribute in a memorial composition, trying not to miss or misinterpret any of the images those who knew Ray Dombrowski already had in their own realm of experience.
“Anthem” had humor and seriousness about it, tackling the life and times of a talented and dedicated musician, which there is no doubt Ray Dombrowski was in spades.
For many years it was my pleasure to work with Ray and various combinations of his musicians at wedding receptions and other significant family celebrations. Many times he would play in a little combo, other times he strolled among the guests with his violin. His band was The Regents, four pieces. Today Mark Leppo carries on the work of The Regents, keeping the same name which pleases Mrs. Dombrowski immensely.
Ray Dombrowski never ceased to amaze me with his musical virtuosity and great attitude. He was perfectly serious about his music on those jobs where we worked together.
After ending the memorial tribute, a standing ovation showed the audiences approval both of the band, and Mr. Burns’ work as a composer and conductor.
Nearing the end of today’s program, Jim McMahan, recited ‘Casey At The Bat’ to band accompaniment. From where I was sitting it was hard to understand the words, as they seemed competing with the ‘baseball themed’ music but Jim’s animation carried the message of the mighty slugger striking out. Perhaps the sound ‘mix’ was not the best for ‘Casey’.
Prior to the recitation McMahan presented Conductor Burns with a Harford County proclamation of appreciation for his tribute to Mr. Dombrowski, which was signed and read into record by the entire county council.
After Casey struck out is was time for a fast encore…The Rooster Lays Eggs in Kansas…funny, with all sorts of instruments staggering in and out of the melange of sounds…really a creative piece of fun and high spirits…especially to rally the audience to a finale and prod each one to head out into the world with a smile and a positive feeling of this wonderfully produced music.
The Community Band’s next performance is set for Memorial Day, May 31, 10:30 in the morning at the Humbert Amphitheater. A small suggestion to aid the fund raising efforts of the band…a ‘Ladies of the Band’ calendar…not only are many of these performers talented they are outstandingly beautiful.
Do yourself and your pals a favor and take in this wonderfully talented band of volunteer musicians who enjoy nothing more than performing for the community.
Mr. Holden has made a glaring omission in his review and that would be our outstanding music director, Mr. Scott Sharnetzka. Mr. Sharneztka’s extensive talent, hard work and dedication is why the Bel Air Community Band is so highly regarded its peers. Without the passion for music that he so generously shares with us each week, the BACB would be just another town band.
Mr. C. Scott Sharnetzka not only conducted the majority of the pieces of the concert, but worked hard rehearsing with the band the past few months to prepare us for our spring concert. Kudos to him–he deserves much recognition and credit. Thank you for your time and talents, Mr. Sharnetzka!
And, many congratulations to Ms. Phyllis Fowler for her outstanding solo performance in Gemeinhardt Suite. She was brilliant!
While it was no doubt well intended, as a lady of the band I found the calendar suggestion a tad out of place in a review of a local volunteer musicians. While the men and women of BACB are admittedly in possession of stunning and undeniable good looks, I do not believe they are up for review. But please continue to enjoy and assess our music. Thanks to all who attended the concert!
Let’s be sure to make mention of our wonderful directior, Mr. C. Scott Sharnetzka. Behind every successful band is a passionate, dedicated, and talented director. Without him, the BACB would not be where it is today. His tastes in music and his pulse on what the audience likes to hear, as well as what the musicians like to play is outstanding. Thank you to everyone who came out to hear the concert on Sunday!
Hi Todd, I just want to compliment you on your article regarding the Bel Air Community Band! They really work hard to present great concerts. I think this band is one the crown jewels of the county, but it is often overlooked due to poor coverage by our local paper. It is so hard to get an article published in that paper!. Our director, Scott Sharnetzka, works tirelessly to get the best that he can from this volunteer band , and he has enhanced their performances over the years through his tireless efforts.. He directs and conducts from his heart and soul, and his results are evidenced by the bands performances. It is through his leadership that we have become what we now are. He is always striving to improve the quality of each performance. Some of the music we play is extremely difficult, but due to the dedication of each musician and through Scott Sharnetzks’s. influence and leadership, this band is a quality item. Thank you for your support! Pat Smith
Mr. Holden’s comments generally are very nice and speak well to the talents of the Bel Air Community Band. What I find hard to believe is that a seasoned journalist would overtly omit such an important part of an article and really think no one would notice. Even a novice music lover understands that it takes outstanding musical leadership to guide the musicians and draw from them the purest interpretations to make great music. I tip my hat to Bel Air Community Band music director, Mr. Scott Sharnetzka. His leadership, musical programming, and commitment to this Community are what fuel the fire throughout the Band to keep it one of the best!!
I have read your review of the Bel Air Community Band Spring Concert. We appreciate your publicity because it has been difficult to obtain through local sources. I have been a member of the clarinet section for 25 years. Probably this concert was one our best because of the great material and talent we had managed to blend. But perhaps the commentator forgot though that the real “leader of the band was C. Scott Sharnetska” Marjory Watermeier
As I am sure the band will agree, we wouldn’t sound the way we do without our much loved music director, Scott Sharnetzka. Because of Scott and his enthusiastic demeanor with us, our band has grown so much that there is a waiting list in almost every section. He spends countless hours listening to and choosing music that suits our style of playing while continuing to take us to new levels as a group by pushing the limits in all the new and latest works published for concert bands. Thank you Scott for all that you have done to get the BACB to almost 100 strong.
Mr. Holden
I read with interest your review of the Bel Air Community Band’s performance of the Spring concert at Bel Air High School. I have been in the band for almost 40 years now, and I am very proud of our past performance. I have seen this fine volunteer organization grow from a rudimentary “town band” to the success it is today.
Moreover, it takes a great deal of guidance and musical integrity to bring musicians to play the way they do. One can simpley blow air and music appears. But it is the conducter who brings out the shape, the texture, the mood of the piece. And all this thanks to our fine leader, C. Scott Sharnetzka. If it weren’t for Scott, we would just be other mediocre band. I admire the man for his long hours that he puts in every day to make the BACB what it is today.
Mr. C. Scott Sharnetzka deserves way more credit then this! I have never seen a director so passionate about music. Anyone can tell Schott does not just stand up on the stage keeping us in time. He helps us feel the music, get a sence of how we should express it. He makes me and the BACB very honored to have him as our director!
well, by now, Scott Sharnetzka has received his due, by the many comments following my article. When I go to the concerts it’s because I love the music and the venue. My observations are not intended as anything more than just that…
also, my comment concerning a Band Calendar was in no way intended to demean anyone, it’s just a way to get the band’s images out to the public…and the beauty of so many of the members just seemed to me, personally as a photographer, to be one way of raising money, with a product the band and the community would be proud of.
perhaps the best thing is that I not comment in the future, just sit back and enjoy the music. Actually I intended to bring the news to those who do not attend the concerts…
Mr. Holden,
Please recognize that the defense of Scott Sharnetzka as evidenced in the above comments is just another indication of what makes the BACB what it is. Like any other successful organization, a certain cohesiveness is required to produce the sort of dedication necessary to acheive positive results. As a musician, I have been surprised how many times I have been asked why a conductor is necessary. Initially I was surprised by the question, but soon realized that the answer is not as obvious as it first appears. Besides the most basic function of keeping the group together, those not on the stage may not be aware of the role that the director plays in bringing knowledge, musical sensitivity , and passion to the notes written on the page. If those qualities are lacking, the performers probably won’t even make it to rehearsal. I think we all just want to see Scott get the credit he is due. That said, I do think you are providing a service in getting word out about the BACB. Please continue to do so; just don’t forget about the guy that gets us to give up our Monday evenings to be a part of this wonderful group!
I was at the second concert, mainly because I read about the band in Holden’s first article….that said, the conductor is the center of attention on the stand, and i thought the article was fine. no doubt a band needs a leader, and the band has one, a good one…..but he doesn’t go unnoticed either. I am a ‘band fan’…thanks to the Dagger printing the stories
The Bel Air Community Band is indeed a fine treasure for the greater Bel Air cultural arts scene. Each and every member of the band, to include the music director, should be very proud of themselves…for the wonderful talents they possess, the devotion and hard work it takes to meld as one, and perhaps of highest merit the artistic imprint they share and the legacy created.
Having said that, Mr. Hoggard’s comments, like so many of the others I’ve read above, seem to have altogether missed the point of the article Holden wrote. Obviously, the music director is perhaps the most critical element of a band, orchestral or otherwise. However, the very title of the article denotes a focus on Mr. Dombrowski for the piece. A seasoned and educated reader should have seen the piece for what it was…honoring Mr. Dombrowski. Yet, even a novice reader should have appreciated the mere fact that Mr. Holden’s words came from a good place and his perspective squarely on the job at hand.
From the first paragraph, attention is drawn to the fact that this is a special Spring Concert honoring Mr. D. Throughout the article we are given asides of the aural pleasures Holden felt, but continually the aural asides give way to the celebration and respect to the late Ray Dombrowski…a gentleman with a true legacy.
The depiction of Commissioner McMahan reciting ‘Casey At the Bat’ was a mere afterthought, something to get off the stage with; however, throughout the article, praise for Mr. Burns and a celebration of the life of Mr. Dombrowski are what struck Mr. Holden as worthy to write about. Name-dropping and posturing were unimportant here.
On the other hand, should the Bel Air Community Band members wish to have Mr. Holden devote his time to craft an article describing the selfless love of musicians plying their craft, the tireless devotion of a well-respected musical director, and the historical and cultural significance of the Bel Air Community Band, perhaps you could back off on your attacks of Mr. Holden and embrace higher plateaus of mutual respect.
v/r
Mr. Shlintz,
We’re happy that you enjoyed the concert and appreciate your thoughts. Yes, we were paying tribute to Mr. Dombrowski with a piece commissioned for him, at Bel Air High School, with a director who formerly taught beside him at BAHS. Even the soloist was a former student of Mr. D’s.
As an isolated article, we’re very appreciative of Mr. Holden’s comments and could easily overlook what at first glance appeared to be a simple omission. However, this is not the first time Mr. Holden has written about our band. If you’ll read his article about our March concert, you’ll see why so many of us quickly jumped to Mr. Sharnetzka’s defense. His previous “Late Show” attack on Mr. Sharnetzka was unwarranted and unnecessary. In light of this previous article, his omission here is somewhat suspect.
We are not name dropping or posturing. While Mr. Holden may take Mr. Sharnetzka for granted, the band does not and cannot afford to do so. All we’re asking is that Mr. Sharnetzka receive the same courtesy that Mr. Holden shows the rest of the band.
i call this an ‘ambush of mean spirited folks’…O.K….you say mean-spirited Holden…he’s one…you are a pack of lynch-mob mentality…a bunch of panty-waists’…
Play on.
OK, Lodgepole, I certainly hope your sarcasm button was pushed while typing that reply. Or are you actually saying that in your world, people with similar attitudes and opinions who publicly and politely state such opinions are “a pack of lynch-mob mentality… a bunch of panty-waists”?
Holden wrote his piece about the concert. His prior article concerning the band contained his poor opinion of Sharnetza. This piece ignored him and specifically referenced the Assitant Director by name twice which, when taken in context, could possibly and reasonably be seen as intentional. However, intentional or not, the band members and supporters simply pointed out his actual importance to the organization – that’s all. Just giving a little credit to the director, not throwing shoes at the author.
If Mr. Holden is too thin-skinned to be able to handle reasonable, polite responses adding a little background info to his recap of a concert, perhaps he should stick to letters to the Aegis.