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“Spiritual to the Bone”
by Warren C. Johnson –
The music of “Spiritual to the Bone” from the popular recording series will be featured at the Tustin Ranch Corps May 3-4, 1997. This unique group of trombone virtuosos will be featured on Saturday evening, May 3, at the Spring Music Festival and will also provide special music in the morning worship service on Sunday, May 4th, and at the annual Tustin Ranch Mother/Daughter Luncheon in the fellowship hall.
This remarkable ensemble of trombonists from the USA Southern Territory is under the direction of Stephen Bulla. The group was featured at Royal Albert Hall while on a British tour, including performances with the Army’s International Staff Band for the UK’s National Music Festival.
The group’s popularity fostered a full-length recording featuring some of “the Army’s own” in specially written arrangements for trombone ensemble.
The group will include most of the original recording artists. Bulla, a versatile composer and arranger of music of many styles, serves as bandmaster of the National Capital Band, one of America’s finest Army brass bands.
William Broughton, president of SGM Productions in Atlanta, Ga., is a composer and producer of TV, film, choir, orchestra, stage and concert bands and is recognized as one of the top performers in his field.
Herb Bruce is well known for his work with the trombone and is an accomplished jazz performer. In his professional life, Herb is in demand as a player and a clinician around the world. He and his family are active Salvationists in Orlando, Fla.
Eric Alexander is from New Orleans and is a former member of the Ronnie Kole Jazz Sextet and the Empire Brass Quintet. He and his family now reside in Atlanta.
As director of special events and volunteers for the Army in Washington, D.C., Dorothy Gates hardly has time to contribute to this historic group. With a bachelor’s degree from Queen’s University, Belfast, she came to America in 1988. Soon after she assumed major musical leadership roles with the Army in the USA Central Territory and toured extensively with the Continental Singers. She attends the Prince George’s Corps, Md., and is principal trombone with the National Capital Band and a member of the Southern Territorial Band.
Captains Lee and Michele Lescano, Bandmaster Edward Freeman and the soldiers and friends of the Tustin Ranch Corps extend a warm and cordial welcome. They look forward to grasping some of the excitement and enthusiasm of this unique music-making group and experiencing the great sounds of the South.
Tickets for the Saturday Evening Music Festival, also featuring the Tustin Ranch Band and Timbrel Brigade, are available by calling the corps office (714) 832-7100. Tickets may be held at the door in “will call.”
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