Mat-Su Concert Band shows why it should be pride of Alaska

MAT-SU — Imagine a group of regular folk. They are your neighbors and friends, local homemakers, a retired nurse, a former school administrator. Some go to work each day and you may know them as local business owners, a firefighter, a farmer, an EMT, a lawyer and a judge.

But every Monday, in the dark of night, they file into Teeland Middle School carrying assorted, dark cases. They move into a cramped back room behind the cafeteria stage. There, they carefully assemble the delicate pieces stored within those cases. And then, almost magically, they begin to practice and play beautiful music.

Our Mat-Su Concert Band began in 1984. An all-volunteer, all community and now nonprofit group, the musicians practice throughout the year, perform four regularly scheduled concerts and appear at various events in the Valley. But you don’t need to know that, and you don’t really need to know a single person in the band. You just need to love music to appreciate this talented group.

I discovered the band several years ago when my son took trumpet lessons with Gleo Hyuck and eventually played with the band as one of its youngest members. Many will recognize Hyuck as an accomplished singer and musician in his own right. You may have seen him perform with the Alaska Chamber Singers, on trumpet in a brass quartet or watched as he conducted the district high school honor band or honor chorus. You may also know that he stands beside Joe Redington and Tom Johnson as co-founders of the Iditarod (but that’s another story entirely).

Hyuck is master of the baton, a maestro of music. Hyuck’s music selections, along with his skill in interpretation and understanding of dynamics, always features the entirety of his band, taxes each musician’s talent right to the top of her/his ability, with results that are absolutely fantastic.

When asked about his ability to bring out the best in his musicians, Hyuck says, “There is a big love affair between me and the band. As the band gets better, the band attracts better musicians.”

That seems funny to me; I have always thought the band was wonderful.

Don’t get me wrong, the Mat-Su Concert Band is not just Gleo Hyuck. The array of talent and drive possessed by this group is amazing. Within the band’s ranks you will always find local music teachers. Charles Carte, teacher at Teeland Middle, plays principal trumpet in the band. Featured during the band’s most recent concert on March 6 titled “Winds and Rhythm,” Carte’s trumpet could be heard distinctly throughout the concert. He played an array of melodies where his trumpet sang so sweet and clear. He performed a solo in a lively concerto where he produced trills that left me breathless, quick measures where the band and Carte seemed to talk back and forth with one another. Hyuck explained that these were some of the most difficult trills for a trumpet player to execute and Carte did so with great finesse.

Hank Hartman, credited with founding the band, owner of Matanuska Music and longtime relentless promoter of Valley musicians, is a talented trumpet player as well. The band also features Bruce Brown, always sure to please with the lovely melodic and sometimes mournful sound of his alto sax.

Stephanie Cass stands out as a firecracker in the back row. She heads the percussion section, assisting other members of her group, moving about between musical selections to play snare drum, tympani and cymbals. The band also features two oboes, a bassoon player and a bass clarinet. It’s cool just to see some of these instruments, besides hearing each play.

When I ask Hyuck about other standouts in the band, he claims that the horns are outstanding, the clarinets excellent, and so it goes with rave reviews for all.

“I am very proud of the band, of course. Many of our members have professional backgrounds,” he said. The guest bassoon for the evening plays with the Anchorage Symphony.

From the opening piece “The Star Spangled Banner,” I knew an exciting night of music lay ahead. A great, accomplished loudness permeates the hall and heads right to your soul. You feel it in your chest and it goes right to your feet and comes out tapping. During this concert the band played a number of suites containing multiple movements — all enjoyable, yet each very different. A standout was a piece titled “Iditarod,” composed by Robert Buckley. The piece was so lively and mesmerizing you could see and hear dogs and sled flying through the snow!

The Glenn Miller medley met with a huge round of applause when familiar tunes like “In The Mood,” “String of Pearls” and “Tuxedo Junction” blasted through the auditorium. We brought a dear friend with us this night, her silver hair matching that of many of the musicians. When the band started this portion of its program, Grandma Eileen began swaying to the music and singing the words. I wasn’t alone when many in the audience joined in with the band, after that anticipated pause, and then said aloud, ”Pennsylvania 6-5000!”

I am not an expert on music. Like many folks, I played an instrument in elementary school and into junior high, then lost my way. Reading back through the program, I admit that I don’t know what a chaconne is, haven’t a clue what a 9/8 pulse signifies in musical terms and am unfamiliar with Hummel. (I thought he designed small statuettes.) But it doesn’t matter, because I am moved by the music. It makes me smile and I feel good.

Between pieces I asked the lone gentleman seated next to us, “Did you come to see someone special tonight?” (I know many in the audience are family members of the musicians.)

He looks at me rather incredulously, “Why no, I just love the music!”

I spied an old friend across the aisle and went to talk with her during intermission. Our now 29-year old sons once battled for first-chair trumpet back at Palmer Junior Middle School under the direction of Stan Harris.

“Do you have someone playing in the band tonight?” I ask her.

“No,” says Jo. “We heard our first concert in December. We came tonight because the music is wonderful!”

And so it continues as we talk with folks while leaving the auditorium at concert’s end. People comment on how much they enjoyed the evening. “What fine music!” “Wasn’t that great?” It seems that everyone is smiling. That’s what listening to this group does to you. It makes you happy. It brightens your day.

The Mat-Su Band is always looking for local musicians to join its ranks. For more information, contact Hyuck at (907) 360-0628 or gleohuyck@yahoo.com.

Admission to the band’s concerts is free to seniors and students.

All other adults should donate $5; undoubtedly the best $5 you’ll ever spend for entertainment in the Valley. The band’s next scheduled appearance is at 7:30 p.m., May 29 at Teeland Middle.

I hope to see you there.