Brass Band a Hit at UCC Concert

Almost 50 years ago, our British cousins launched a musical “invasion” of American shores, utilizing the sound of amplified guitars, drums and mop-head teen musicians.

Today, the musical influences from “over the pond” may be less pronounced, but are just as loud and just as enjoyable, as proven by The New England Brass Band’s recent concert at .

Under the direction of renowned arranger, Stephen Bulla, the 30-plus -member brass band entertained a rapt audience on April 3, with musical selections from composers such as J.S. Bach, Kevin Norbury, Howard Evens and Stephen Bulla, himself.

“It’s the British brass band style of music that we play,” Bulla explained. “That’s a set instrumentation … a traditional sound. An American brass band might be more of a Civil War band. This is more of a classical configuration.”

The New England Brass Band, formed in 1988, performs up to a dozen concerts per year throughout New England and draws volunteer musicians from a wide geographic area.

“The band rehearses in Wilmington," Bulla said. “It’s a Boston-based band, but draws on players from as far north as Maine and as far south as Connecticut. We [also] have a few players who come in from the western part of the state; the Pittsfield and Lennox area.”

Unlike many community bands, the non-profit group acquires its membership through an audition process.

“It’s a volunteer band that plays very well,” Bulla said. “I think that’s a part of why they [the unpaid musicians] keep coming back as volunteers; because it’s such a high standard of music-making.”

Bulla, who graduated Magna Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music, has led the brass band since 2008. In addition, he has served for the past 30 years as Chief Arranger to the President’s Own Marine Band and White House Orchestra. In that capacity, Bulla has been responsible for the “production of ceremonial and entertainment music for the administrations of Ronald Reagan” on through to the current White House residents.

The New England Brass Band was brought to Medfield through the efforts of Tom Targett, a member of the United Church of Christ’s music committee. Committee Chair, Sue Schaub, explained the church produces a half dozen concerts per year.

“We do the Town Carol, which is held the first Friday in December," she said. “The Community Chorus performs here, as well as other various groups.”

According to Bulla, the popularity of brass bands has been growing over the past 20 years.

“We are a member of the North American Brass Band Association,” he said, “and they have quite a number of bands throughout the country that are performing.”

The band has attracted audiences of all ages, including teenage music fans. “If we’re playing at a high school auditorium,” he said, “we tend to get a lot of the younger kids. We [also] have music educators in the band and they often invite their students, which helps to attract the younger side of the audience. I try to program to them. Sometimes we’ll play the music of John Williams (whom Bulla has worked with) and sometimes [we do] more patriotic fare.”

Though this was the brass band’s first concert in Medfield, Bulla noted that he is no stranger to the area.

“I’ve been to the area before. I have an uncle who plays organ at St. John’s, in Westwood.” In addition, the band performed in nearby Westwood, just this past December.

“I love it out here,” Bulla said. “It’s got everything you need but it’s still very rural.”