Main Street Community Band: Postcards - a Musical Journey

The Main Street Community Band will perform ‘Postcards - A Musical Journey’, on Sunday, February 23 at 4 pm in the Lanier Middle School Auditorium. “If you’re experiencing the post holiday winter blues, then pack your bags and join us on a musical trip to some of our favorite places, which include England, Spain, Cambodia and Singapore!”, says Director Jeff Seffens, whose concert theme was inspired by memories of his father’s suitcase as he returned from various trips to far-away places. Back in the 1950s and early 60s, people still placed stickers on their suitcases from places they had traveled to. Although he was too young to travel with his dad, he was inspired - by his dad’s opportunities - to learn about and play music evocative of other cultures.’

Though Jeff’s father passed away when he was young, the mementos that he brought home from his trips are a lasting memory. ‘When I travel I really work at finding just the right memento that, for me, will bring the trip back to life once I’m home.’ During his first trip abroad, one of the first stops was Venice. His dad had been to Venice and had brought back a beautiful lead gondola with oarsman. At first, he thought he’d get one too, but then decided that he and his dad would share the one he had at home.

His own musical journey, although a certainty, was not a straight path. Although it was clear that young Jeff had a passion for music, he was expected to study something more traditional. After graduating from Fairfax High School, he was accepted into the engineering program at UVa. Throughout his freshman year he felt the pull back to music, so during spring break he prepared an audition tape for the Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music where he ended up completing his degree in music education. ‘I never imagined coming back to spend the rest of my life in my hometown, but things just happened that way,’ he recalls, reflecting on a missed opportunity to stay in Ohio due to sheer chance. Back home, Seffens seemed to be in the right place at the right time, as a position opened up with the Fairfax County Public Schools where he enjoyed a 32-year career as a band director, retiring from his alma mater, the Sidney Lanier Middle School, where Main Street performs most of its concerts.

Besides teaching, Seffens’ career included many years as a trumpet player with the National Concert Band of America and the Tom Cunningham Orchestra (big band). ‘In the days before swing dancing returned to popularing, we were often paid in ‘Tommy Dollars.’ Eventually we would be reimbursed in real dollars. We often played at the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo, and in time swing dancing came back into fashion and we found ourselves playing for 600 to 800 people a night!’

Many of the association’s band members have traveled and lived abroad. Clarinetist Marianne Ihde, one of the original members of the Main Street Band, took a four year break to live in Yorkshire, England where she joined a local community band. Marianne says of her time there, “Yorkshire holds special memories for me as the time of my life that my oldest children started their schooling and my youngest was born. As I was staying home with a young child, a lot of our days were spent exploring the beautiful Yorkshire landscape. When I have to call a picture to mind about our time there, I think of the hours we spent hiking and playing in the gardens, fields, and hills. I was also lucky enough to join a community band. The “White Rose Community Band” was a way to keep up my music and meet a variety of people who introduced me to the different way of talking about music (a quarter note is a crochet, who knew?!) It was wonderful getting to know people through our common love of music and of course getting a tea break in the middle of rehearsal. I was excited to make a connection with the piece, “Yorkshire Ballad” and I hope that as you close your eyes, you can see the green expanses of rolling hills, sheep, some kids in uniform giggling as they walk to school and of course a local band playing.”

Trumpeter Glenn Maravetz, who has visited Angkor Wat in Cambodia, which became the filming location for Lara Croft: Temple of Doom starring Angelina Jolie. One of the most awe-inspiring memories of his visit are of the trees. “Massive trees surround, indeed grow from, around, over, and through this temple. The natural setting is quite powerful, and even a bit frightening!”, says Maravetz. The trees inspired “Ta Prohm,” the second movement of Celestial Dancers, by Eric Ewazen. The piece was recommended by saxophonist Joan Lisante-Hood who winters in California. She played this piece with her ‘winter band.’ which was directed on this piece by the composer.

Tickets for “Postcards: A Musical Journey” are available at www.fairfaxband.org.