As The College at Brockport readies itself for the future with the unveiling of its new Special Events Recreation Center, they are also honoring the past, at least musically speaking. On Saturday, September 15, the Fine Arts Series will present The Gateswingers, a big band, at 7:30 p.m. in Tower Fine Arts Center, 180 Holley Street, Brockport. Ticket prices are $15/General, $10/Seniors, College at Brockport Alumni, Faculty and Staff and $8/Students and are available by phone at (585) 395-2787 or at the Tower Fine Arts Center Box Office.
It’s not just the style of music that hearkens back to the middle of the 20th century. It is also a way to pay tribute to one of the sidemen in the band, Dr. William Hullfish, who recently retired from the Department of Theatre and Music Studies after teaching at Brockport for nearly 50 years. Hullfish was part of the music department when it was retrenched, and helped spearhead the music courses when they were part of the Department of Theatre. Stuart Ira Soloway, the manager of the Fine Arts Series, says that “without Bill Hullfish, there would have been very little music on the Brockport campus for the past 30 years. Recently, he was able to initiate performers such as the Jazz Clarinet Ensemble and supervised the Brockport Symphony Orchestra. His knowledge of, and performances of, music of the Erie Canal is without peer. Having him do what he likes to do best – play the clarinet – seems a fitting tribute.”
The Gateswingers, led by Ron Bowks, a 15 piece band featuring swing band sounds of the 1940s, ‘50s, ‘60s specialize in playing the big band standards in the authentic traditions of Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Harry James, Glenn Miller and other great band leaders. For more than a decade the Rochester-based ensemble has been a favorite of upstate New York audiences. They have played in a variety of venues from Erie, Pennsylvania to Springfield, Massachusetts including city and town festivals, ballroom and street dances to formal country club events.
The Gateswingers concert is just a part of this year’s Homecoming Weekend, begin celebrated September 13 to 16. The cornerstone of the weekend is on Friday, September 14 when the new Special Events Recreation Center will officially open. A list of the weekend’s events can be found at www.brockport.edu/homecoming.
