Published: March 20, 2008 08:36 pm         

Southern Stars Symphonic Brass to debut April 19

An exciting new music group, the Southern Stars Symphonic Brass, has been formed and is making Crossville its base.

The group is a 30-piece brass band (27 brass and three percussion musicians) organized by Dwight Wages, who recently moved to Crossville following a 38-year career with Proctor & Gamble. Dwight has been an active musician since the fifth grade and has performed with

many professional musical ensembles.

When Dwight learned there were no professional brass bands in Tennessee, he decided to establish a high quality group in Crossville whose goal is to be recognized nationally, similar to the reputation enjoyed by the Cumberland County Playhouse. The band has been formed and

rehearses at Cumberland County High School, and will perform three or four concerts in Crossville this year. Plans are also underway for performances in Cookeville, Knoxville, Chattanooga and Nashville.

The group's name "Southern Stars........" is very appropriate, as the musicians are some of the best in the state. Members include professional musicians who also perform with the Knoxville and Bryan Symphony orchestras, the Jack Daniels Silver Cornet Band, area big bands and with major nationally-known artists. The musicians are from the Knoxville, Chattanooga, Crossville, Cookeville and Nashville areas. The conductor is Dr. Donald Ryder, director of the University of Tennessee Symphonic Band and the "Pride of the Southland" marching band.

Crossville area musicians include Playhouse pit band regulars Wayne Robbins (cornet) and Jeff White (flugelhorn); Steve Tinnel of Rush's Music (trombone); CCHS band director Joshua Squire (alto horn); Stone Elementary music teacher Helen Watson (cornet); Jack Strotman, who performs with the Big Band Sound dance band (baritone horn); and Dwight (cornet and flugelhorn).

Four of the Tennessee Tech University Music Department's brass faculty add an additional dimension and a high skill level to the band. These include trumpet professor Charlie Decker (cornet), trombone professor Joshua Hauser (euphonium), jazz professor Chris McCormick (cornet) and music composition professor Greg Danner (alto horn). They are but a few of the impressive musicians who will dazzle the audience with their skill and techniques.

Steven Boyce, owner of Rush's Music Stores in Crossville and Knoxville, will be the announcer for the concerts. Steven performs with the Knoxville Choral Society and local audiences will recognize him from frequent performances in Crossville.

A group of such quality and ensemble makeup is capable of performing a wide variety of styles and genres. Their concerts will include selections with broad audience appeal to all ages. The inaugural concert will be April 19 at 2:30 p.m. at the Fairfield Glade Community Church, 521 Snead Dr. The program will include "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy," "Armed Forces Salute," "Amazing Grace," "Bring Him Home" (vocal solo by Steven Boyce), "Liberty Fanfare," "American Rhapsody," and three marches, "Manhattan," Famous British Marches and "Land of Freedom. Admission will be free.

The musicians are donating their performance fees for the first concert as their gift to the local audience. Dwight is passionate regarding his decision to provide Crossville with a professional music ensemble the area can proudly call its own and be another reason why Crossville is such a special place. In order to be a success, Dwight is asking local support for future concerts via ticket purchases, donations and business / corporate sponsorships. Everyone is cordially invited to fill the church sanctuary April 19 to show the musicians that Crossville values this addition to its culture.