Band celebrates with new music

A commemorative poster will be for sale at the events.
By GUY D'ASTOLFO
VINDICATOR ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
WARREN -- Like the Packard automobile, the W.D. Packard Concert Band was made to last.
The band, like the hall, turns 50 on Saturday.
To celebrate, the band has commissioned a new musical piece and will premier it at two anniversary concerts at 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Oct. 16.
Charles Sayre of Atlanta, a Wellsville native and graduate of Dana School of Music at Youngstown State University, composed the nine-minute piece, titled "The Packard Suite."
A slide show and historical narration will accompany the "The Packard Suite," which is in three movements, said Thomas Groth, associate executive director of the concert band.
Wendell Lauth, a historian from Bristolville, put together the slides, which depict historical moments in Warren and music hall history.
The accompanying narrative, which will be read in person by suite composer Sayre, will tell about the life of William Doud Packard, the Warren industrialist and philanthropist whose love of music lead him to found the music hall and band.
Sayre works with the Airmen of Note, the concert band of the U.S. Air Force.
Other highlights
The Packard band will round out the anniversary concerts with audience favorites and songs from the inaugural concert in 1955, according to Groth.
"Anniversary March," by Brad Gilliland will be on the song list.
Gilliland was a Warren band leader and contemporary of W.D. Packard, who loved to listen to him play. "Gilliland inspired W.D. Packard to start the concert band," according to Groth.
Another song will be "Salute to Packard," which was composed by Roy Miller, an early conductor of the Packard band.
Other selections will come from the musicals, "The King and I" and "The Sound of Music," Groth said.
A big band medley, featuring tributes to Count Basie and Duke Ellington will be included. "Warren audiences really get into the big bands," Groth noted.
Conductors for the anniversary performances will be the band's conductor, Donald W. Byo, and conductor laureate Robert E. Fleming. Daniel Carioti will direct "The Big Band Sound of Packard" at the anniversary dance, from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday.
Guest vocalist with the concert band will be Dana Victor, while Ellen Wakeford-Banks will sing with "The Big Band Sound of Packard."
Richard Muccio, a local artist and caricaturist, has created a mural for the occasion. "It depicts the Packard complex with the band performing," Groth said.
Poster-size prints of the mural will be available for sale at the anniversary events, Groth said.