The Barrington High School Music Department will premier two works at its "Spring Concert" on Tuesday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. The event will also feature other works by local composers in a concert of thanks and gratitude.

Children of The Bay, commissioned by the BHS Music Department and written by local composer, teacher and parent, Paul Bowser, is a piece written for both choral ensemble and the concert band and celebrates the town of Barrington during its 300th year. 

Children of The Bay combines text from the Centennial Celebration of 1870  and musically depicts the two major industries of Barrington — brick and lace. 

Said Mr. Bowser: “In my research for this piece, I was intrigued to see a photo of the clay pit that is now Brickyard Pond. Brickmaking was relentlessly slow, laborious work, and I wanted to represent that musically. Likewise, I attempted to capture the rhythms of the lace machines at the former RI Laceworks.” 

Mr. Bowser is a 1979 graduate of the Barrington High School Music Department and is currently director of middle school bands in Cumberland. His wife, Pam Neville, and his two children, Andrew and AnnaLeigh, have participated in the Barrington Music Department as well. 

“The band has benefitted from having Mr. Bowser come into the class and to help interpret the music and to lend his thoughts on the construction of the piece and how he musically painted this picture,” said BHS band director Barbara Hughes. 

John McKenna is a long time friend of the BHS Jazz Ensemble. He is also composer and private saxophone teacher. When asked by Mrs. Hughes if he would be interested in composing for the ensemble he immediately agreed and has composed specifically for the band, its strengths and its interests, while also pushing the limits of their imagination and technique. 

The piece, entitled Barringtones, is a massive work in swing and latin feels and features many of the students in the band, some of whom have studied with Mr. McKenna for years. 

In addition, the piece has a moment where the band is asked to musically ‘deconstruct’ by interpreting images and to freely improvise without any harmonic or rhythmic indication. 

“This piece is great and a wonderful tool to have the students tap into their imagination and to trust their musical instincts,” said Mrs. Hughes.

In addition to Mr. Bowser and Mr. McKenna’s works, the Jazz Ensemble will also play Tidal Cove, written by Barrington resident, guitarist and Berklee College of Music Composition professor, Scott Free. Tidal Cove was commissioned by the BHS Jazz Ensemble in 2008 and Mr. Free has been a frequent clinician for the ensemble. Also on the program is Alex Lee-Clark’s, Keep At It. Lee-Clark is the founder of the funk band Brian Thomas Alex Lee Clark Big Band and has also been a long-time friend, clinician and private teacher of many of the students in the ensemble.

Other highlights on the program will be the concert band’s performance of Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring and the Stars and Stripes Forever March by John Philip Sousa. 

Both the Jazz Ensemble and the concert band have received superior ratings at local and regional festivals this year. 

“I am so proud of these students and the work they have put in to this music,” said Mrs. Hughes. “It all has the makings for a memorable night, honoring our friends and their musical talent.” 

The concert will take place in the John R. Gray Auditorium at the Barrington High School. Admission is $5.