BRAINERD — It's not your typical pairing: an orchestra and a New Orleans-style brass band. But that didn't stop Ryan Webber, Brainerd's Heartland Symphony Orchestra music director and conductor.
The idea came to him about three years ago. Webber works hard to adapt or bring flair and charm to the orchestra’s performances. He reached out to assistant conductor and member of the Rusty Crayfish Brass Band Christopher Fogderud about a collaboration.
“[It] took some convincing, but he got on board,” Webber said on "Area Voices" on the KAXE Morning Show.
The show is at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 21. The orchestra and band will be on separate sides of the stage at the outdoor Lyman P. White Amphitheater, right off the Mississippi River. The hope is that both orchestra and brass band fans will enjoy the unique sounds working together.
The Rusty Crayfish Brass Band has been performing together for six years. It includes three trombones, two tubas, two trumpets, tenor sax and drums. They started out doing covers, but now also write original tunes.
Webber said a big inspiration for the collaboration was Charlie Parker with Strings albums. Fogderud made custom arrangements for the string parts for the Rusty Crayfish Brass Band songs.
Attendees can expect to hear tunes like “Nisswa Nights” and “Lofi for the Fish Fry” with a unique blend of sounds from the two groups. Fogderud said adapting the songs for an orchestra has been an interesting experience.
“It's almost like spoofing the song, but hopefully like a really good way,” Fogderud said. “It's just a whole lot of fun, some inside jokes in the music, and it's just excellent.”
Having experience playing in orchestras and brass bands, Fogderud has one piece of advice for musicians from both groups.
“Listen. You just got to listen, and you have to adjust your plan," he said.
"So, I know that our brass band is going to have to do things just slightly different so that we can make sure to gel with the orchestra, but like anything, if you are going to play in a certain style, you have to respect that style.”
Like most Heartland Symphony Orchestra events, no ticket is required to attend the event. Goodwill donations are gladly accepted, and the Rusty Crayfish Brass Band will have merchandise for sale. However, unlike most of their shows, there will be no livestream for the show. People must attend to experience it.
“I can't think of anything better to do on a Saturday night,” Fogderud said.
“It's a celebration of music in our community,” Webber added. “So just come out and hear some good music and enjoy the beautiful weather.”
Tell us about upcoming arts events where you live in Northern Minnesota by emailing psa@kaxe.org.
Area Voices is made possible by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and the citizens of Minnesota.
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