POPLAR BLUFF - The Three Rivers College Jazz and Symphonic Bands will host the final concert of the academic year and feature some toe-tapping tunes and classic works for symphonic band.

The concert will feature the Three Rivers Symphonic Band and Jazz Band. The concert will be held at 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 8 in the Tinnin Fine Arts Center on the TRC campus in Poplar Bluff.

A number of musicians from the Dexter area will perform in the concert as members of both the TRC Symphonic Band and Jazz Band.

A highlight of the Jazz Band’s performance will be the classic “Big Swing Face” by Bill Potts, which was written for and performed by the famous Buddy Rich Jazz Band. 

“This is the same chart the Buddy Rich Band performed, not a watered-down arrangement,” said William White, Three Rivers College music instructor and band director. The Jazz Band will also perform “Swingtime in the Rockies” by Benny Goodman and James Mundy, arranged by Dave Wolpe, and “Steamsville” by Mark Taylor.

The Symphonic Band’s showcase will include “The Sinfonians” by Clifton Williams, “Down A Country Lane” by Aaron Copland, “A Touch of Tuba” by Art Dedrick, “American Patrol” by F.W. Meacham and “Masque” by Francis McBeth.

“Both bands are performing what I call ‘Gems of the Concert Stage’,” said White.  “Clifton Williams’ ‘The Sinfonians’ is a classic band work which has defined the highest standard of what symphonic band literature can be. ‘Masque,’ by Arkansas native Francis McBeth, is also a staple of band literature. Dr. McBeth passed away Jan. 9, 2012.  This is the band’s tribute to one of the world’s greatest wind band composers.” 

The Symphonic Band is a unique group consisting of community members, area band directors, Three Rivers College and high school students. 

The concert is free and open to the public. For more information on the spring band concert, please contact William White at wwhite@trcc.edu.  Additional information on the music program and other areas of study at Three Rivers College can be found at www.trcc.edu.