Edelweiss Quartet, Frank Ohl students make music
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Jeff Bremer of the Edelweiss Quartet stepped away from his fellow instrumentalists during a presentation at Frank Ohl Intermediate on Feb. 8 to show a group of fourth-graders the many ways he can play his standing bass.
Neighbors | Sarah Foor .Oboists Kathryn Dick (left) and Natalie Biller played an impromptu tune with their double sided oboe reeds as they explained their instrument to a group of Frank Ohl fourth-graders on Feb. 8.
By SARAH FOOR
The musical group Edelwiess Quartet visited Frank Ohl Intermediate on Feb. 8 to show fourth-graders the fun of being part of band.
The quartet consists of oboe players Kathryn Dick and Natalie Biller, clarinetist Stuart Bremer and standing bass player Jeff Bremer.
The group was introduced by Frank Ohl principal Dennis Rice, who pointed out that Stuart Bremer’s visit to the school was a special one. Rice showed photos of Bremer when he was the first band director at Frank Ohl in the 1960s.
After the introduction, the group balanced its selections between classical favorites and familiar children’s songs. The group handled a jazzy tune called “Truck Stop” and played Western favorites before playing “Colors of the Wind” from Disney’s “Pocahontas.”
Each musician explained interesting aspects of their instrument. Bremer showed the students how he could play his standing bass by plucking the strings or with a bow, while oboe players Dick and Biller showed how they could play a song with their double-sided oboe reeds without the instrument attached.
The group welcomed interaction with the fourth-graders. Students Matthew Novicky and Emily Bishop provided a “pop” with a special instrument during “Pop Goes the Weasel,” while 14 fourth-graders were welcomed on stage to bang on pans and crank egg beaters during a unique take on “Blue Danube.”
The group said they appreciated playing for the students.
“Every concert has two parts – the performers and the audience. It’s best when both parts are great and I must say you’ve been a wonderful audience today,” Bremer said.