Brass quintet to play for patients, medical team, at Wilmot Cancer Institute

While the RPO is proud to present a series of annual holiday concerts at the beautiful Eastman Theatre, there are many people who don’t have the opportunity to attend these concerts due to such factors as geography, financial means, or physical limitations. That is why the RPO family is dedicated to finding new ways to share the gift of music with everyone in our community, especially around the holiday season. For the sixth year, the RPO’s brass ensemble will perform a free concert of holiday and classical favorites for the patients and medical team in the Wilmot Cancer Institute Atrium on Friday, December 19 at 1 p.m. This annual concert is sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. John Bennett. Dr. Bennett is Professor Emeritus of Medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center, as well as a nine-year member of the RPO board and head of the development committee.

“This concert is a nice way of providing the patients with some casual entertainment during the holiday season” said Dr. Bennett, who also said that approximately 75-150 people attend each year. “I have received very positive feedback over the years both from patients and staff over how exciting it was to be present.”

The RPO brass ensemble is a quintet of RPO musicians that includes Doug Prosser (trumpet), Wes Nance (trumpet), Dave Angus (horn), Mark Kellogg (trombone), and Craig Sutherland (tuba). This will also be the second year a Wilmot patient will participate in a special number. Steve Whitman studies tuba with Craig Sutherland at the Eastman Community Music School and is a RPO patron.

“Last year, Steve did an arrangement of Rubber Ducky for two tubas with added percussion played by the rest of the brass quintet - it was a hit!” said Sutherland. This year, the group is excited to debut Whitman’s arrangement of You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch for two solo tubas with quintet accompaniment.

While the Wilmot Cancer Institute Atrium was chosen as the concert space due to its size and central location, the quintet has another reason for enjoying the venue.

“Believe it or not, the atrium is actually a great place to play for acoustics,” said Sutherland. “It’s one of our favorite 'halls' to play in, and the crowd is a nice mix of doctors, nurses, staff and patients, some of whom listen from upstairs 'balcony' seating. It’s a great atmosphere.”

L to R: Douglas Prosser (trumpet), Wes Nance (trumpet), Craig Sutherland (tuba),
Mark Kellogg (trombone), and David Angus (horn), perform in the Wilmot Cancer Institute Atrium.

RPO Musicians Share Holiday Traditions

As we move into this busy time of year—with all the holiday parties, shopping, decorating, cooking, and getting ready for houseguests—we took a moment to ask the RPO musicians about their holiday traditions and favorite holiday music. Of course, there are the annual Gala Holiday Pops concerts to prepare for. But beyond that, we asked them what they do to celebrate the holidays.

Concertmaster Juliana Athayde says, “My favorite holiday tradition is celebrating Christmas Eve with my family in California. Since my mom’s family is of Norwegian descent, we celebrate on Christmas Eve instead of Christmas Day. Complete with performing at late night mass (our whole family is made up of musicians), enjoying a delicious dinner, and opening presents!

“As kids, we always had to make sure the dishes were cleared and the dishwasher was running before we could open presents. Then, we would each open one present at a time starting from the youngest person in the family to the oldest. We still do it that way and I love that it allows us to focus on what each person has given and received, instead of everyone ripping open their presents at the same time.”

Principal Clarinet Kenneth Grant says that his holiday traditions include “enjoying our week of Holiday Pops … and quiet times with family in front of the fireplace.”

Acting Principal Cello Kathleen Murphy Kemp says, “When my kids were little, we cut down our tree and made lots of Christmas cookies. Dinner and church on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day, and we opened stockings before breakfast. Traditions are changing now as the family has grown up. Excited to see what their traditions will be!”

As far as favorite music, Juliana has quite a collection of jazz and retro holiday tunes. “If I had to pick a favorite,” she says, “it would be any of Harry Connick Jr.’s holiday albums. I think I have them all and the combination of his velvety sound along with the great arrangements—whether for big band or intimate jazz combo—make for a great listening experience sure to liven up any holiday gathering!”

Kenny Grant recommends the Johnny Mathis album The Sounds of Christmas. And Kathy Kemp suggests, “The RPO holiday CD, of course!”

You can purchase your own copy of the RPO’s A Holiday Celebration, featuring the Festival High School Chorale, tenor Tonio Di Paolo, and Jeff Tyzik’s The Twelve Gifts of Christmas, Little Drummer Boy, and Chanukah Suite. It's on sale now for $5 in the Eastman Theatre Shop or online.