By Rick Palsgrove
Southeast Editor
The sound of swing music will soon fill the air in Groveport.
The Groveport Sunday Night Concert on May 22 from 7-8:30 p.m. will feature big band music by the Nostalgics. This free concert will be held in Heritage Park, 551 Wirt Road in Groveport.
The 18-member Nostalgics formed in 1989. The band began as a group of musicians from the Lancaster Community Band (then known as the Olivedale Senior Center Concert Band) who wanted to form a big band. Charles Hildreth is the musical director and Nick DelMatto is the band manager.
The Nostalgics feature musical arrangements from the “Big Band Swing Era,” including hits recorded by Benny Goodman, Glenn Miller, Tommy Dorsey, Harry James, Les Brown, Woody Herman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie and others. Also included in the band’s repertoire are well-known pop, rock, blues, Broadway, and movie songs. (Visit nostalgics.us for information.)
Marcia Gibbons, of Canal Winchester, has been a member of the Nostalgics since 2012 and plays tenor saxophone for the band.
“I began on alto sax back when I was in the fifth grade,” said Gibbons, who also can play soprano sax, baritone sax, and piano. “I began playing tenor sax when I started playing with the Nostalgics.”
She said playing with the Nostalgics is exciting.
“The band members share a common goal to have fun, improve musically, and to entertain people,” said Gibbons. “It’s great to perform for people who enjoy the music we play.”
Gibbons believes big band swing music, which achieved popularity in the mid-20th century, still thrives today because, “It’s lively. When you listen to it you want to tap your feet. It makes you want to move as you feel the beat. It’s also fun to hear the solo improvisations because they are different at every performance. These improvisations are ideas formed in the mind that are expressed musically. The solos mean something because they tell a story.”
Gibbons said one of her favorite songs to play is “Harlem Nocturne,” written by Earl Hagen and Dick Rogers in 1939.
“It has a mysterious, sensuous quality to it,” said Gibbons. “I also like some of the old ballads, too. There’s a romantic side to this music.”
Gibbons said a big band performance has much to offer both the musicians and the audience.
“While performing, the musicians are listening to each other to produce a unified sound and similar expressive style,” said Gibbons. “For the listener, you can absorb all the parts coming together and watch and hear the interplay between the musicians. Listening to this music makes you want to play it.”
Gibbons said people from every age group can enjoy big band music.
“It’s for everyone,” she said.
The Groveport Sunday Night Concert series is co-sponsored by the Center for Groveport Madison Human Needs. A freewill offering to benefit the Center for Groveport Human Needs will be accepted or bring a canned good for the Groveport Food Pantry. Concessions available.
Marcia wails!
Nice article, my hat is off to Marcia Gibbons for such an involved article concerning musicianship. Have the pleasure to perform with Mrs. Gibbons on several occasions and may add she is a talented musician and enjoyable
to be around.
Sweetman
Rick Brunetto Big Band