By Holly Walker
Mark your calendar, and join us on February 25, as we welcome the Eastern Virginia Brass Trio to John Tyler Community College for a performance of “The Grapes of Brass,” a new composition by Tyler’s own Leigh Baxter. “The Grapes of Brass” is five movement piece that will take you on a fun, musical journey through the delightful tastes of Cabernet Sauvignon through Pinot Noir.
Making this performance even more special is its ties to John Tyler. Composer Leigh Baxter is a long-time employee of the college. He has been teaching music at Tyler since 1994, and he also works in the college’s Admissions and Records Office, where he currently serves as interim registrar. Baxter’s relationship with Eastern Virginia Brass (EVB) also has deep roots. Baxter’s “Sonata for French Horn” was premiered in 1997 by Marlene Ford, and in 2006, he was commissioned by EVB to compose music celebrating the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown Colony. From that came his symphonic poem, “Lewis and Clark,” which was premiered by the Richmond Symphony Orchestra, performed at the Lewis and Clark National Bicentennial Celebration in St. Charles, Missouri, and recorded by the Kiev Philharmonic Orchestra. Baxter has composed other works for concert bands, jazz bands, chorus, piano, organ, and various chamber ensembles.
Baxter’s “The Grapes of Brass” will be performed in The Lynn Theatre at John Tyler Community College’s Midlothian Campus on February 25 at 3:00 p.m. All are invited to attend.
This performance is made possible through a tour grant from the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts and a mini-grant from the John Tyler Community College Foundation.