This acclaimed concert, recorded live October 19, 1997 in Jordan Hall, Boston, was the first in a series of experiments—experiments in music (seeking to connect to and express aspects of nature and the human story through music) and experiments in ensemble making, offering musicians an unstressed and supportive opportunity to reconnect to what attracted them to music in the first place, without undue pressure for technical perfection (the Frequency Band). So, this isn't a note-perfect studio recording, but for those looking for something else, maybe you'll find it here. We hope so! With world premiere performances for all works except "Ancient Twinkle Appearing," this live concert includes "living program notes," Norman Bolter sharing his thoughts about music and his inspirations for these works with characteristic depth and humor. What Others Say: "As composer, conductor, speaker and performer, Bolter captivated in rapt attention all of those in attendance." - from the REVIEW by David J. Begnoche, ITA Journal, Vol. 26, No. 1, Winter 1998. "SPECTACULAR!!!!!!!!!! The music is wonderful and truly inspirational. Thank you for putting it into the world to hear." - Charles Vernon, Bass Trombonist, Chicago Symphony Orchestra "I absolutely loved it!" - Glenn Dodson, Former Principal Trombonist, Philadelphia Orchestra Music by Norman Bolter Produced by Carol Viera Engineered by Patrick Keating Cover Painting by Mark Siegel Art Direction by Carol Viera Soloists: Norman Bolter, Scott Hartman, R. Douglas Wright, Douglas Yeo Frequency Band® Trombone Choir: Darren J. Acosta, Richard Begel, Frank Bunger, Mark Cantrell, Stephen Cooley, Alexei Doohovskoy, John Faieta, Kriss Fridenvalds, Samuel Getchell, George Kirkup, Gabriel Langfur, Nick Martin, James Nova, Phil Ostrander, Brian Troiano, Bron Wright Frequency Band® Orchestra: VIOLIN: Gregory S. Vitale, David Rahbee, Xin Ding, Chia-Chi Lai, Noemi Milordovic, Ying Zhou. VIOLA: David J. Fallo, Lisa M. Lewis. CELLO: Alexei Gonzales, Melissa McCarthy, Sibora Milordovic. BASS: Avi Azilay, Justin McCarty, Irving Steinberg. FLUTE: Zhao Liu, Chih-hsien Chien. PICCOLO: Rebecca Clossick. CLARINET: Catherine Hudgins, Joseph Gavin. OBOE: Jennifer Ann Loupe, Jennifer Slowik. ENGLISH HORN: Nancy Dimock. BASSOON: Robin Leech, Robert McGrath. TRUMPET: Thomas Rolfs, Tom Smith, Thomas Cupples. HORN: Kate Gascoigne, Ken Pope, Jean Rife, Anne Howarth. TROMBONE: Darren J. Acosta, James Nova. BASS TROMBONE: Mark Cantrell. TUBA: John Manning. TIMPANI: Joseph R. DeMarco. PERCUSSION: Christopher J. DeChiara, Phil Kiamie, Courtney McDonald. HARP: Judy Saiki. "On With the Battle of Life" (for trombone choir) "Onward," "Nowhere to Turn," "Acceptance and Hope" Frequency Band Trombone Choir, Norman Bolter conducting "Passions of Survival" (for trombone and orchestra) Norman Bolter, trombone solo; Frequency Band Orchestra, Douglas Yeo conducting "The Song of King David" (for trombone and piano) Norman Bolter, trombone; Laurinda Sage Wright, piano "Ancient Twinkle Appearing" (trombone trio) Norman Bolter and Darren J. Acosta, tenor trombones: Mark Cantrell, bass trombone "Of Mountains, Lakes and Trees" (for solo bass trombone, tenor trombone and alto trombone with orchestra) "Of Mountains," Douglas Yeo, bass trombone, "Lakes," R. Douglas Wright, tenor trombone; "Trees," Scott Hartman, alto trombone; Frequency Band Orchestra, Norman Bolter conducting Norman Bolter's Bio Born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Norman Bolter was first inspired to play the trombone when, at age four, he saw the Captain Kangaroo television show character, "Mr. Greenjeans," play the same instrument. Mr. Bolter began his formal trombone studies at age nine with Ed VonHoff of the St. Paul Public School System. Later, he studied with Ronald Rickets and Steven Zellmer of the Minnesota Orchestra and with John Swallow at the New England Conservatory. Mr. Bolter is very thankful to these teachers and to former Boston Symphony Orchestra principal bassoonist, Sherman Walt, not only for their technical and musical assistance but also for their encouragement and nurturance of his love of music and trombone playing. A Tanglewood Fellow and C. D. Jackson Award winner, Mr. Bolter joined the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1975 at age 20, becoming the youngest member of the orchestra at that time. As well, he is principal trombonist of the Boston Pops Orchestra and was a founding member of the Empire Brass Quintet, which won the prestigious Walter H. Naumberg Award in Chamber Music, the first brass ensemble ever to win this award. Mr. Bolter has appeared, as a member of the Boston Pops Orchestra, on the televised PBS favorite "Evening at Pops" with Arthur Fiedler, John Williams and Keith Lockhart as conductors. He has toured extensively in the U.S., Europe, Asia and South America with the BSO, the Pops and the Empire Brass and has made many recordings with them. He also appears as principal trombonist on recordings with Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine. Furthermore, Mr. Bolter appears as soloist and conductor on four recordings of his own compositions, "Experiments in Music," "Anew at Home," "Occurrences" and "In Living Continuance." In addition to his numerous trombone solos, Mr. Bolter performed the acclaimed euphonium solo in the BSO recording of Mahler's "Symphony No. 7 " (Philips Classics Productions, 1990) and also played euphonium on the Minnesota Orchestra recording of "Ein Heldenleben" by Richard Strauss. Mr. Bolter has composed music from a very early age, with the last thirteen years witnessing an outpouring of new works winning him acclaim as a composer both in the US and abroad. In addition to his own recordings of these works, Mr. Bolter's compositions have appeared on recordings by New York Philharmonic principal trombonist Joseph Alessi, Boston Symphony Orchestra bass trombonist Douglas Yeo, Boston Symphony Orchestra principal trombonist Ronald Barron, former Boston Symphony Orchestra principal trumpeter Charles Schlueter, Los Angeles Philharmonic co-principal trombonist James Miller and the New England Brass Band. Further, his compositions have been performed throughout the world, with performances in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South America and the US. Amongst the many who have given live solo performances of Mr. Bolter's works are: Joseph Alessi ("Arctic Emanations" for trombone and piano), Ronald Barron ("Sky Dreams" for alto trombone and piano), Scott Hartman ("Trees" for alto trombone and orchestra), Randall Montgomery ("Clouncey" for tuba and piano and "Keepers of the Cosmic Sea" for solo tuba and brass ensemble with percussion), Richard Sebring ("Nautilus" for solo horn and brass ensemble with percussion), Charles Schlueter ("On the Cusp" for solo trumpet and brass ensemble with percussion, "Immersions" for solo trumpet and "Marsha's Gift" for trumpet and piano), Charles Vernon ("Of Mountains, Lakes and Trees" for solo bass, tenor and alto trombones and orchestra, and "Sagittarius2" for bass trombone and piano), R. Douglas Wright ("Solar Voyages" for solo trombone and brass ensemble; "Lakes" for solo tenor trombone and orchestra) Douglas Yeo ("Of Mountains" for solo bass trombone and orchestra) and Jacques Zoon ("In the Place of Wild Lavender" for flute, horn and cello). Mr. Bolter's works have been commissioned by Joseph Alessi ("Arctic Emanations" for trombone and piano), Pro Arte Chamber Orchestra of Boston ("IOURS" for trombone and chamber orchestra), the Zellmer-Minnesota Trombone Competition ("Morning Walk" for tenor trombone and piano, "Sagittarius2" for bass trombone and piano), Mike Roylance ("Night of the Soul" for tuba trio), Peter Chapman ("Immersions" for unaccompanied solo trumpet), the Online Trombone Journal ("The Joy in Being Able" for trombone and piano), the University of St. Thomas ("A White Company Overture" for concert band) and others. In his numerous compositions (over 200 created to date), Mr. Bolter explores creating "essence music" (music as a living thing) inspired by the natural worlds and the human story. His compositions have a broad range of instrumentation, including works for a variety of solo instruments (trombone, trumpet, tuba, horn, flute, didjeridoo, ram's horn, serpent and others), brass ensemble, trombone choir, concert band, brass band, mixed chamber ensemble and orchestra. Notably, Mr. Bolter has composed more music for the trombone that any other composer. A renowned teacher, Mr. Bolter serves on the faculties of New England Conservatory, Boston Conservatory and Longy School of Music. Many of his students hold positions in major symphony orchestras, chamber music groups and universities around the world. In addition to conducting regular master classes, Mr. Bolter holds special Frequency Band workshops, co-conducted with his wife, entertainment psychologist Dr. Carol Viera. Mr. Bolter also is co-author, with Dr. Viera, of several papers and booklets, including "Methods of Effective Practice," "High Range Exercises," "It's Not All in the Air" and "The Metronome Meditation." He also has written a unique sight reading book for advanced trombone players, "Reading at the Speed of Sight." All of these works are available for purchase on the Air-ev Productions website. Mr. Bolter offers private lessons, as his schedule permits, in which players can experience for themselves his unique and effective one-to-one instruction.