LCCC Civic Concert Band show goes on

Mask-enforced intimacy may sound like a chore, but that's exactly what the Lorain County Community College Civic Concert Band is happy to provide during a pandemic. Normally boasting more than 50 members, the popular band returns for a free and intimate afternoon of small ensemble performances scheduled for Sunday at Hoke Theatre. "I'm glad we're doing this," band director Mark Wainwright said. "Our musicians have said more than once that they're ecstatic to be playing, because they weren't sure anything was going to be happening this fall. "While normally a full concert band show probably had 55 people last year, I'd say maybe 30 people were now interested in playing — even with the small ensemble things we're doing. Everybody is staying 6 feet apart and wearing their masks when they're not playing. We're just trying to follow the rules." Due to state-mandated protocols, the 988-seat Hoke Theatre is limited to an audience of 130. Masks are required for attendees, who as a group will be placed in the middle of three open seats to promote social distancing. At most, the Lorain County Community College Civic Band show will feature 10 musicians performing at a time in everything from a brass choir to clarinet, percussion and mixed ensembles. The upside for Wainwright is the smaller configurations allowed the outfit to perform new literature. "It's a whole different ballgame playing in a smaller group as opposed to playing with a full concert band," Wainwright said. "Now, a player might be the only person that's covering that part, and if it doesn't get played then that particular part is missing. It's not like there are four or five people playing the same part." The upcoming program includes Thomas Davis' "Rondo for Percussion," John Tatgenhorst's "Razzle-Dazzle and Rock," Vaclav Nelhybel's "12 Concert Pieces," Paul Dukas' "The Fanfare from LaPeri" and Henry Purcell's "The Allegro and Air from King Arthur." "I think the Charles Gounod 'Petite Symphonie' is just a wonderfully delightful piece of music," Wainwright said. "I enjoyed working with that. The other fun one I've personally played a lot is the John Cheetham 'Scherzo,' which originally is a brass quintet piece of music, but we've doubled the parts. "There are two first trumpets, two second trumpets, two French horns, two trombones and two people playing the tuba parts." What's really cool and modern in the program is the performance of music from the HBO series "Game of Thrones." While normally the inclusion of music from a fantasy drama might stand out, that's not the case in 2020 during a pandemic. "That's the low brass ensemble," Wainwright said. "The piece was arranged for a cello group and my wife, a cellist, let me borrow the parts." Continuing the idea that there are no surprises in 2020, is it OK for audience members to dress up as White Walkers, the series' zombie-like creatures? "Uh, no," Wainwright said. "I'd prefer they didn't do that." Contact John Benson at Ndiffrence@att.net. WHO: Lorain County Community College WHEN: 3 p.m. Sunday WHERE: Lorain County Community College's Hoke Theatre, 1005 Abbe Road N., Elyria TICKETS: Free INFO: (440) 366-4040 or stockerartscenter.com.