Chapman native to play at Carnegie Hall
MAPLETON NEWS
by Jennifer Buzza
John Brabant, a student at the University of Kansas, will have the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall in New York City Tuesday, March 26. The Wind Ensemble from the university will be making its first appearance at the renowned concert venue. Brabant has been playing the clarinet for the last 16 years, but says he will be playing the bass clarinet for this concert.
Photo courtesy of John Brabant
JOHN BRABANT, a master’s degree student at the University of Kansas and Chapman native, 
will be making the trip of a lifetime to Carnegie Hall in New York City with his Wind Ensemble group from the college. The performance will take place March 26 and is the first for the group, conducted by Paul Popiel, director of bands.
When asked how this group was selected to play at Carnegie Hall, he explained the group would be performing under the direction of Dr. Paul Popiel.
“James Zakoura of Reach Out Kansas Inc. and Smithyman and Zakoura, is sponsoring the KUWE (Kansas University Wind Ensemble) on this endeavor. Zakoura is a KU alum and commissioned New York based composer Mohammed Fairouz to compose a piece specifically for the KUWE to perform at Carnegie,” said Brabant. “So Fairouz composed his Symphony #4 entitled ‘In the Shadow of No Towers,’ which examines us, as Americans, in a post 9/11 world. This is undoubtedly huge for all of us (including Fairouz, who was only a few blocks away from the towers when they fell). This is not just another band concert. We are premiering a very deep and emotional piece about 9/11 by a young Arab American composer of our generation, in the city in which it happened, and on the greatest stage of them all.”
In a press release, Dr. Popiel commented, “I’m so pleased our students get this kind of opportunity and recognition to make music that’s truly deep and meaningful. And to give the students the opportunity to take this music to one of the world’s great stages in the city that most suffered from the 9/11 tragedy is very important. The whole experience is humbling and exciting.”
Brabant explained that “every semester all instrumental music majors have ‘blind’ auditions for the large ensembles. The rosters are determined based off how well each person placed. The Wind Ensemble is the top band at KU, so I must have placed well!”
A 2006 graduate of Presque Isle High School, Brabant is the son of John and Lynne Brabant of Chapman. He is currently in the last year of his master’s degree program in clarinet performance. He recently became a certified K-12 music teacher in the state of Maine, so he will be “applying to a ton of jobs!” His future plans also include marrying his fiancée, Lyz. Brabant continues to practice as he prepares for orchestral auditions.
The Wind Ensemble performance at Carnegie Hall will take place at 8 p.m. March 26. The WE will be presenting an encore performance on the campus of the University of Kansas April 2. The group will record the symphony played at Carnegie Hall, releasing it on the Naxos music label in December of this year.
Birthdays
Birthday wishes this week go out to Olive Gregg, Dorothy Dean, Catharine Hamilton, Peter Greenier, Keith Pendexter, Fudd Wood, Kathy Scott, Carla Carney, Chad Putnam, Roxie Putnam, Samantha Boulier, Robbie Hoffses, Alice McQuade and Sarah Beaulieu.
Anniversary
Happy anniversary today to Ernie and Brenda Boykin.
50/50 winner
The winner of the March 4 50/50 drawing was Ron Leonard. Remember, please support the 25th annual Mapleton Daze festivities by purchasing a 50/50 ticket at the Mapleton Diner, Tenney’s or the Mapleton Town Office.
Bean supper fundraiser
The Mapleton Daze Committee will hold a bean supper fund-raiser dinner this Saturday, March 16 at the Lions Hall from 5-7 p.m. The menu will include beans, hot dogs and desserts. The cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children under 10. Wendell Hudson and friends will provide Irish musical entertainment. Proceeds will benefit the 25th annual Mapleton Daze festivities.
World Religion Seminar
The Mapleton United Baptist Church will host its continuing World Religion Seminar this Sunday, March 17 from 6-7 p.m. at the church building. This week’s topic will be Judaism. The seminar will be presented by Dave Raymond, church member and chair of the Northern Maine Community College arts and sciences department. Refreshments will be served.
Mapleton Baptist is located directly across from the Mapleton Elementary School and is handicapped accessible. For questions and further information, please call the church office at 764-6034. The public is invited to attend.
Jennifer Buzza is the correspondent for Mapleton, Castle Hill and Chapman. She can be reached at 760-9115 or by e-mail at jbuzza@ainop.com.
