Tuba takes lead turn in Brewer spring concert

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When I was a little girl, one of my favorite pieces of music (a 78 record, by the way!) was “Tubby the Tuba.”

The children’s classic, with words and music, told the woeful tale of little Tubby who, as a member of the orchestra, was never allowed to be the lead instrument.

The lead always went to violins or flutes or trumpets but never to the tuba.

All Tubby ever did, it seemed, was go “ooompa, ooompa, ooompa,” and he was very, very sad.

In fact, Tubby believed the other members of the orchestra didn’t like him very much at all.

Then, lo and behold, one day, Tubby was given the lead.

He was a great hit, much to the orchestra’s surprise. He had a wonderful time, and everyone in the orchestra was nice to him!

I’ve always loved that story and the music and, ever since, have loved listening to a tuba play the lead which, by the way, still doesn’t happen very often.

And that is why I strongly recommend you and yours attend the Brewer Hometown Band’s “Rousing Spring Concert” at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 23, at the Brewer Auditorium because the featured guest soloist is Paul Greenstone, whom BHB director Jan Cox describes as a “fantastic tuba player.”

During the concert, the BHB will be remembering its “own terrific Tuba 1” player, Cox wrote of the late Sam Wyman.

The concert will consist of many of Wyman’s favorite marches, including “Top Kick,” which was written especially for Wyman by Bangor Band director Gordon Bowie.

Best of all, other selections will feature Greenstone in a performance “lively enough to start your toes tapping,” Cox wrote.

Refreshments will be served, and a door prize will be awarded.

While admission is free, any donation you can make to help support the Brewer Hometown Band will be greatly appreciated.

And, to Greenstone and his tuba, I say, lead on!

Katahdin area historian and author William “Bill” Sawtell will show his video, “The History of Katahdin Iron Works & Gulf Hagas,” at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 22, in the Riverview Room of the Ellsworth Public Library, 20 State St.

Sawtell, who has written several books about the early Maine industries, will discuss the film and offer other information about those early industries.

For more information about this program or other library offerings, call the EPL at 667-6363.

The Rev. Linda C. Loving will perform “Julian,” a dramatic monologue by J. Jandra at 8 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the Brick Church on the corner of Union and Main streets in Bangor.

The public is invited to attend.

Tickets are $15 each and will be available at the door or can be ordered by calling Kim Johnston at 827-8582. There is no reserved seating for this one-time performance.

“Julian” is based on the life and times of Julian of Norwich and her work, “Revelations of Divine Love,” according to a release about the performance.

Julian, born in 1342, is the first known English woman whose written works survive.

She was a mystic, writer and spiritual guide who survived the Hundred Years’ War, three outbreaks of the Black Plague, the Peasants’ Revolt and the Great Western Schism.

Two of four sessions remain for a Julian discussion group that meets at approximately 11:30 a.m. each Sunday. It began Sunday, March 9, and continues through Sunday, March 30, at St. James Episcopal Church on the corner of Center and Main streets in Old Town.

For more information about the performance, contact Johnston at the above number or e-mail kimjohnston@ umit.Maine.edu.

Anyone, any business and any organization can help make the Greater Bangor Kiwanis 4th of July Celebration a success by being a sponsor, a patron or by making a general donation.

People from miles around attend the pancake breakfast; participate in or watch the 3-kilometer road race and parade; and enjoy terrific fireworks at the end of the day.

Realizing “that all budgets are tight,” especially in a year with “freezing temperatures, high unemployment and a scary economic future,” wrote Marla Saliba of the 4th of July Corp., “it takes the combined financial help, of all sources, to make this enormously popular event possible.”

If you can help, call Saliba at work, 942-4029; at home, 989-5304; or write the Greater Bangor 4th of July Corp. in her care at 46 N. Main St., Brewer 04412.

Joni Averill, Bangor Daily News, P.O. Box 1329, Bangor 04402; 990-8288.