February 4th: FMU Winter Band Concert featuring Roderick Brown at the FMU PAC

FMU Winter Band Concert – Tuesday, February 4, 2014 7:30 p.m., at the FMU Performing Arts Center.  Featuring Florence’s own Roderick Brown on Saxophone.  He will be performing music from the motion picture Catch Me If You Can and the great jazz standardBlue Bossa.

$5 for adults, and school kids get in FREE!  (Middle and HS students, please bring school ID)   Tickets may be purchased at the door the night of the concert.  To keep up-to-date with Francis Marion's Cultural Events please visit:  http://departments.fmarion.edu/finearts

More info:

Mr. Leon O. Harvey was the band director at Wilson High School for 43 years from 1960 till his retirement in 2003. Under his leadership Wilson had numerous bands of distinction. Harvey instilled the joy of music and developed superior musicianship in his students.  When Mr. Harvey was asked for recollections on his former student, Roderick Brown, he answered “He’s always been an outstanding student,   He is serious about music and that’s the main thing”.   “That’s pretty much what we stress as (band directors), playing afterwards, not only just in high school but to find places to perform in church, for recreation, military.”  “I've always been proud of him.” 

Roderick Brown, 1995 Wilson HS Alumnus never stopped playing and performing even while obtaining a degree in Chemistry from Francis Marion University in 2006.  Roderick did just what Mr. Harvey expected out of his students, he continued to perform. 

Brown has been playing the saxophone for 25 years. He started band in public school under the leadership of his first and most influential band director and mentor, Mr. Leon O. Harvey. Roderick recalls when Mr. Harvey, who was a fine saxophonist, demonstrated to the class how a melody in their method book, "Abide With Me," was to be played.  "Mr. Harvey borrowed my horn, and played the hymn beautifully. Everything changed for me.  I knew then that I would stick to the saxophone."  Inspired by Mr. Harvey, Roderick would practice earnestly. 

In high school he earned chairs in the South Carolina All State Honor Band for Alto Saxophone and Oboe.  He can be found performing on all woodwind instruments around the Pee Dee.  Roderick currently performs with the Florence Little Theatre Orchestra, FMU Concert Band, and frequently with the Florence Symphony Orchestra.  He serves as a musician at Maxwell Baptist Church in Florence, SC.  He has also served at other churches in the area: St. John's Episcopal Church, Florence Baptist Temple, Mount Zion Methodist Church in Kingstree, SC and Main Street United Methodist Church in Dillon, SC.  He performs with the Woody's.  He recently started playing in a jazz duo with guitarist Thomas McBratney.  

Brown will be featured on the FMU Winter Band Concert, Tuesday February 4, 2014 7:30pmat the FMU Performing Arts Center.    He will be performing on Alto Saxophone Catch Me If You Can by John Williams Arranged for Band by Jay Bocook.  The piece is from the Movie featuring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks and contains music from its soundtrack.   Chris will then switch musical genres as well as musical instruments as he performs the great jazz standard Blue Bossa on Tenor Saxophone.

The Winter Concert on February 4 will also contain traditional band literature from Alfred Reed, Alleluia!  Laudamus Te, an energetic opening selection;  The Fives Prevail!,  a contrasting melodic piece; Our Kingsland Spring by Hazo; and light hearted, The January February March by Don Gillis.

The spring concert on April 15, 2014 will feature another outstanding FSD1 Music Student, Thomas Middleton,  who recently graduated with a Master of Music in Vocal Pedagogy from The Boston Conservatory.

Tickets for the Winter FMU Band Concert are free to all youth (middle and high school students will need  to show an ID).  All remaining tickets are $5 each and may be purchased at the door the night of the concert.  Tickets may also be purchased in advance by calling the FMU Performing Arts Center Box Office (843-661-4444) or visiting the Box Office Mondaythrough Friday from 12-5 p.m.  The Box Office is also open 90 minutes before any Presenting Series event, Florence Symphony Orchestra concert, or Department of Fine Arts performance.  The first 100 tickets are free to FMU students who present valid FMU ID at the Box Office.  For this concert, tickets are not available online.  To keep up-to-date with Francis Marion's Cultural Events please visit:  http://departments.fmarion.edu/finearts.