OPENING WITH A BANG

by
Maryann Miller

On August 29, Mount Vernon Music kicked off their 2009 - 2010 season with something a bit out of their ordinary offerings, but that did not dim the enthusiasm that night. The audience that filled the pews at the renovated old church welcomed the Quebe Sisters Band, who opened the evening, with rousing applause. Grace, Sophia, and Hulda Quebe are nationally renowned fiddlers and they are accompanied by Drew Phelps on bass and Joey McKenzie on guitar.

(Starting at the bottom and going clockwise, Hulda Quebe, Sophia Quebe, fiddles; Drew Phelps, bass; Joey McKenzie, guitar; Grace Quebe, fiddle.)

“A Night to Remember: Music, Music, Music!” featured country, Western swing, jazz, and “light-to-rowdy” classics. The Quebe Sisters opened with some old favorites including "Why Not Take All of Me". Then they segued into some Bob WIllis and Hank Williams senior's "Cold, Cold, Heart".

As Joey said, "You can't have fiddles without a little Bob Willis."

The band also played tribute to legendary guitarist, Les Paul, and did "How High the Moon." It was very appropriate that Joey was playing a Les Paul Gibson guitar.

To say that the girls played with a lot of energy is an understatement. They had the hall rocking and the more the audience loved what they were doing, the more they gave back. It was easy to see how they have won so many state, regional, and national fiddle titles.

The special evening was a fundraiser for Mount Vernon Music, so there was a silent auction with lovely items donated by board members, Mt. Vernon merchants, and local artists. In addition, delicious hors d’oeuvres and desserts were provided by the Mount Vernon Key Club before the show and during intermission. Ken Greer and Frankie Cooper organized the reception and silent auction, as well as being sponsors. The Gold Sponsor for the evening was Fri st National Bank of Mt. Vernon.

The second half of the evening's entertainment started with three pieces from Claude Bolling's "Suite for Flute and Jazz Piano", featuring Debbie Ragsdale on flute and Steven Harlos on piano. It was quite a contrast to the earlier performance, but was met with equal appreciation from the audience.

Debbie is the principal flutist in the East Texas Symphony Orchestra and associate professor of flute at Collin County Community College.

Continuing with the work of Claude Bolling, John Holt performed three pieces; one on trumpet, one on flugelhorn, and one on piccolo trumpet. He was accompanied by Steven Harlos, and both are accomplished musicians, playing with every fiber of their being. John is Assistant Professor of Trumpet at the University of North Texas and serves as Principal Trumpet of the Dallas Opera Orchestra.

Steven is a co-founder of Mount Vernon Music and serves as staff keyboardist for the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. He coordinates piano and collaborative piano at the University of North Texas.

A concert is always more fun for the audience when the players are having fun, and that was quite evident that evening. You could see the musicians smiling at each other and really connecting on the stage. The music becomes more than just the notes written on paper when that happens. It's magic.

Last, but certainly not least, was Mark Miller on violin and John Scott on clarinet. Mark, a co-founder of Mount Vernon Music, is concertmaster of the East Texas Symphony Orchestra and performs with the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

John Scott is a professor of clarinet at the University of North Texas and has performed with a number of orchestras throughout the United Sates, Europe and Asia.

Mark and John did "Serenade for Three for B-flat Clarinet" with Steven Harlos joining them on piano. They had a lot of fun, and when something in particular really pleased Mark, he would break out in a big smile, nodding as if to say, "Yes, this is working."

Drew Phelps stayed on to play with the second-half musicians, which showcased his incredible talent. Drew has a Bachelor of Music degree from North Texas State University. He has also received a full scholarship to attend the School of Fine Arts at the Banff Centre in Canada, as well as a National Endowment for the Arts jazz fellowship to study privately with legendary string bassist Dave Holland. He has performed and recorded with an impressive list of musicians that include the Duke Ellington Orchestra, the Dixie Chicks, and Bob Hope.

Accompanying all the second half performers was percussionist Dennis Durick, who was clearly having a good time. He and Drew really melded their music and provided a solid foundation for the other instruments.

This was a very special night of music and there were close to 150 people in attendance. Pat Lawrence, wife of Trice Lawrence who is on the board of Mount Vernon Music, said the concert was wonderful. "This certainly is different, but it is so much fun," she said. "Those girls are incredible on the fiddle."

Pat and her husband are great supporters of the arts. In addition to being involved with Mount Vernon Music and attending the concerts, they support the Main Street Theatre in Sulphur Springs where they live.

They also love Winnsboro and visit frequently. "We love cibovino and the Gallery, and that really neat kitchen shop," she paused just a second. "Ladles to Linens."