Trombone Concerto Tells a Love Story

Posted Aug 19, 2011 at 12:04 PM in Classical

Tonight, we’re fortunate to have the composer of one of the program pieces in the audience! Samuel Jones wrote the Concerto for Trombone and Orchestra, Vita Accademica, which debuted in 2009. The piece will feature the talents of Britt’s principal trombonist Jim Decker.

Another cool connection: the couple that commissioned the piece will also be in the audience. Seattle residents Charles and Benita Staadecker celebrated their 25^th wedding anniversary by commissioning Jones to write the piece. They’re making their first trip to Britt to hear it performed by the Britt Orchestra. The title Vita Accademica refers to Charles’ college life, and it is dedicated to his alma mater, Cornell University. Charles says, “the concerto itself tells the story of a student going to college…the composer dedicated the middle movement "Romance" to honor the love we have for one another.”

The couple also commented on this unique gift they chose to make. “People have a choice, whether to spend money on safaris, trips to Europe or a new car; or to invest in the arts. The think a lot of people don’t realize is that anyone who so chooses could do this.”

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