Strike up the band for "Chariton Chronicles"

The Lucas County Historical Society has undertaken many interesting projects over the years, but the board's decision last year to commission a piece of instrumental music to celebrate our county's history was new territory.

So I was anxious yesterday morning to get to the high school band room to learn more about the finished project, entitled "Chariton Chronicles," and the creative process that produced it during a Skype session involving Toronto-based composer Vince Gassi, band students and band director Daniel Scheetz. 

Then a two-hour school start delay caused by icy roads and streets intervened, but everyone was able to adjust their schedules and we finally got together during late morning. It was a great session and you'd have been gratified by the insightful questions and comments of the student musicians.

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Instrumental music has been a part of Lucas County history for somewhere in the neighborhood of 170 years. Our first organized groups were the "cornet bands," adult brass ensembles of the 1850s and 1860s that entertained every chance they got. The nationally-recognized Chariton American Legion Junior Band of 1929-1956 was legendary and we have a considerable collection of artifacts related to it. The tradition continues today with the Summer Band that entertains weekly during June at the courthouse bandstand and the Jazz Band and Big Band, both organized and led by Scheetz, that have been using the C.B.&Q. Freight House as their performance venue. And of course the instrumental music program in Chariton schools is ongoing.

So Daniel was able to make a convincing case last year that the historical society should consider making a little Lucas County history in addition to conserving and curating it. Commissioned specifically for the Chariton High School band, interaction between students and composer was part of the plan and there will be additional Skype sessions this spring as the musicians prepare to premiere the piece during their spring concert.

Gassi received the commission based on his reputation as an instrumental music composer, educator, guest conductor and clinician --- and of course his affordability. But I think we got a good deal. You can learn more about the composer by going to his website, here. Extensive research into Iowa and Lucas County history --- and reading many of the stories posted here over the years --- were included in the composer's homework.

About a year after its premiere, "Chariton Chronicles" will be published by the Alfred Publishing Co. and then become available to instrumental groups worldwide. In case you're wondering, we will have performance rights to the piece, but ownership remains in the hands of the composer and his assignees.

Anyhow, I'm looking forward to the premiere --- and a performance as part of the Summer Band concert series will be scheduled, too. We'll keep you updated on times and places.