Band Camp Musicians to Perform in Free Gala Concert: Retired Director of U.S. Marine Band To Conduct
June 5, 2014 — The Week I Concert Band of the Band Camp for Adult Musicians at Allegheny College will perform a free gala concert on Friday, June 13 at 7 p.m. in the college’s Shafer Auditorium.
Returning as the conductor of the Concert Band is Colonel Timothy Foley, USMC, retired director of the U.S. Marine Band (“The President’s Own”), considered one of the most prestigious posts for any military musician in the world.
During his tenure as director of the Marine Band, Foley served as music advisor to the White House and regularly conducted the band at the Executive Mansion. During his time as director, the band celebrated its 200th birthday and was the only musical organization to be inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame.
Foley served in March 2009 as guest conductor for the Pennsylvania Intercollegiate Band. He also served as the guest conductor for the 30th anniversary concert of the Concert Band of Northwest Pennsylvania.
The soloist for the Week 1 concert will be Aimée Reash, camp director of the Band Camp for Adult Musicians. A graduate of Allegheny College, Reash is the principal tuba player for the Greenville Symphony Orchestra. She has taught voice privately in Meadville and Titusville and is the music and choir director at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Meadville.
A mezzo-soprano who sings in both classical and jazz styles, Reash will perform the solo “But Not for Me” from George Gershwin’s “Girl Crazy.”
The remainder of the program will be taken from the 33 works that the Band Camp has been playing during the week. These include a mix of overtures, transcriptions, original works for band, lighter numbers and marches. Giuseppe Verdi, John Williams, Alfred Reed, Percy Grainger, Victor Herbert and John Philip Sousa are among the wide variety of composers represented.
A concert for Week 2 of Band Camp will be performed at 7 p.m. on Friday, June 27 in Shafer Auditorium. Captain Michelle Rakers of the U.S. Marine Band will conduct.
For more information on the concert, contact Conference and Event Services at Allegheny College at 814-332-3101.