UpDate - Vol. 13, No. 10, Page 4
November 4, 1993
First State Symphonic Band fall performance Sunday

     The First State Symphonic Band with several members of the University
community, will perform a free concert at 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 7, at the
Wilmington Music School.
     The program will include Academic Festival, by Brahms; Jazz Tangents,
a film score; and two shorter, contemporary works.
     Conductor is Harvey Price, a percussion instructor at the University
for 15 years.
     He is directing the First State Symphonic Band for the 1993-94 season,
after serving as guest conductor two years ago. The regular concert season
runs from September to May, and the band also has a summer concert series.
     According to Price, the ensemble gives community members a chance to
perform in a high quality organization and "encourages music making by
non-professional musicians."
     Sixty professional and non-professional musicians from the local area
comprise the First State Symphonic Band, which has been providing community
members with a place to perform since 1951, when it was known as the DuPont
Employees Concert Band. That band dissolved in 1978 and was reborn as the
First State Symphonic Band.
     The band benefits from a strong connection with the University, Price
said. "The University drives the field of music. Surrounding musical groups
feed off the University's energy and influence."
     The ensemble's roster includes four staff members, 13 alumni and two
students from the University.
     Katherine C. Kerrane, assistant director of the University Honors
Program, has been a member of First State Symphonic Band since 1983. She is
the principal flute player.
     "I played in high school and college and missed the chance to play and
perform," Kerrane said. "First State has a serious musical purpose. It's
not just a social organization, but it is a chance to meet a variety of
people."
     Most of the band members are from the Newark and Wilmington areas.
Rehearsals are held once a week, and the location alternates monthly
between Newark and Wilmington high schools.
     "It's a lot of fun because of Harvey Price," Kerrane added. "He's got
a lot of energy and creativity. He makes us work, but it's lots of fun."
     Auditions are not required to become a member. Those who are
interested may sit in on a few rehearsals and decide if they would like to
join, Kerrane said. Players of certain instruments not in great abundance,
such as the bassoon and other double reed instruments, are actively
recruited to play in the band.
     Being self-governed is an unusual aspect of the band, Price said. A
board is elected every year by the members. The 1993-94 band president is
Alan Start, coordinator in the College of Nursing and the band's principal
tuba player. Kerrane is the second vice president.
     The band performs a wide variety of music from its library of more
than 900 scores, a library which may be relocated to the Amy E. du Pont
Music Building to allow the University to take advantage of the collection.
     Price said he actively encourages more interaction between the
University and the band.
     For additional information on the First State Symphonic Band, call him
at 831-2557.
                                                  -Amy E. Brown