HDIC Events: Pitt Band Stadium Review Show

As most readers of this blog (and followers of my social media accounts know), I'm a big fan of the University of Pittsburgh Varsity Marching Band (also, I am an honorary member).  The Pitt Band is over 300 members of the Pitt community ranging from percussion to baton twirlers (also known as the Golden Girls).  They perform at all home football games, select away games, and bowl games and ACC Championship games, when Pitt is in them.

The Fitzgerald Field House

This past November, the Pitt Band brought back one of the old traditions from the old Pitt Band, the Stadium Review Show.  The concept is simple: an audience sits in the stands while the band is on a stage and they play.  Well, this year they hosted it in the Fitzgerald Field House on the Pitt Campus.  There was no stage, but the band sat in one set of bleachers while the crowd sat in the other and the color guard and Golden Girls performed on the volleyball court of the venue.

The Golden Girls perform while the band plays in the background.

Having worked with the Pitt Band before for different football games, Courtside at the Cathedral, Pep Rally concerts, and several Trumpet Guards, I knew that I wanted to be around for this concert.  I even was credentialed to do photos for the band.

Herald Trumpet Fanfare, with blue Pitt flags.

The concert started out just like every concert at Heinz Field, with the Herald Trumpets followed out of the tunnel by the Pitt Drum Line.  After the drum line got the crowd pumped, the rest of the band erupted from the tunnel and into the stands.

The drum line (aka The Crew), running out of the tunnel.

After that, the band played through all of their different concerts from the year, including the standard pregame concert and the new "Greatest Showman" themed performance.  While the band played, the Golden Girls and the color guard took turns providing visual effects for the audience.

Color guard adding visual effects to the performance.

In addition to their performances, they also played through their stand tunes including "Snakes on a Plane", "Pokemon Theme Song", and crowd favorite, "The Kids Aren't Alright".

One of my favorite shots from the performance.

The afternoon of music ended with a very special singing rendition of the University of Pittsburgh Alma Mater by the band students, staff, parents, and friends (Special shoutout to the assistant drum majors who let me sing the alma mater with them!)

The assistant drum majors dancing to "The Kid's Aren't Alright".

I was very excited to go to the event since I hadn't made it to any of the games during the season, and I was even more exited to be able to photograph the Pitt Band once again.  I'm looking forward to doing it again soon!

Pittsburgh flags on the trombones.

---

All images copyright 2018 Allen Howard/HDIC Productions
Blog post copyright 2019 Allen Howard.

Behind The Scenes: Our First Summer Tour

This past summer, HDIC Productions went on tour with a local brass group, The Plum Brass Quintet.  Now, we use the term "tour" loosely, since it was only around Pittsburgh, but it was at five different venues over the course of about ten weeks between June and August 2018.

The sun sets over a Plum Brass Quintet performance

Our involvement for the summer tour started out with promotional photos for the summer.  It was beautiful evening on the campus of the University of Pittsburgh (where two of the members of the quintet had graduated from), and we set out from Heinz chapel to get the shots.  We went all around some of the iconic locations in Oakland to make promotional shots they wouldn't soon forget.

Plum Brass Quintet poses in front of Heinz Chapel

The first performance was in their hometown of Plum as a kick off for the Plum Library's Summer Reading Program, which had a music theme this year.  They were joined by their friend, Trevor, who filled in for trumpet player Matt.

Plum Brass Quintet performs at Plum Community Library

They then kicked off the season of summer with Make Music Day Pittsburgh at the Forbes Digital Plaza in Oakland.   This day brings about a celebration of music and the summer season, always happening on the summer solstice.  The Plum Brass Quintet was joined by Jenny, who filled in for Matt; Morgan, who filled in for trombone player Jon; and Spencer, who added percussion to the mix.

Make Music Day performers

Shortly thereafter, the brass quintet headlined the first ever Plum Summerfest (A re-branded community day in the borough of Plum).  Despite torrential downpours leading up the outdoor event, the actual concert was dry and ended with fireworks.  The main quintet was around for this concert, and they were again joined by Spencer on the drums and added vocalist Natalie into the performance.

Natalie performs with the Plum Brass Quintet at Plum Summerfest

Returning to the Oakland section of Pittsburgh, The Plum Brass Quintet partnered with the Shadyside Brass, musicians in residence of Heinz Chapel, to create the Summer Brasstacular!  Both groups did an outstanding job and Heinz Chapel made the music sound so much fuller.  It was also the premiere of "Annie's Song" which featured a trombone solo by Donna.

Donna performing her solo in "Annie's Song"

Finally, the end of the summer came back at home for the quintet at the Plum Community Center.  This was a collection of the greatest music from the summer tour and a great way to finish out the summer surrounded by all of the friends and family from their hometown.

Plum Brass Quintet performs in the Plum Community Center

HDIC Productions considers ourselves lucky to be able to have worked with such a fantastic group of young musicians.  We kept this relationship going into the winter months for their Holiday Tour, although we only made it out to about half of their shows instead of all of them.

The Plum Brass Quintet and the Shadyside Brass at Heinz Chapel

Either way, HDIC Productions is looking forward to the next music tour that we get invited on!

The Plum Brass Quintet walks away after a successful summer tour.

---

Blog post © 2019 HDIC Productions.
All images © 2018 Allen Howard/HDIC Productions

Official Statement on the Tree of Life Synagogue Tragedy

We grieve as one community after the tragedy at the Tree of Life Synagogue here in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  You always see it on the news, but you never think it’ll be your city you see in the headlines.  Today, it was our city.

Pittsburgh is a hub of education, technology, and medicine among other things. This hub creates such a diverse population in the city and surrounding areas. This has helped make Pittsburgh an inclusive community, one that accepts all people of all backgrounds.  We at HDIC Productions are proud to be a part of this beautiful city and stand by the value of diversity and inclusion.

The following days and weeks are no doubt going to be challenging for so many in our community, but know you are not alone.  We stand together, we stand as one.  We are Pittsburgh strong.

Sending all of our warm thoughts to those who need it,
Allen Howard
Operations Director, HDIC Productions

HDIC Events: Bakery Square Summer Kickoff

Every summer, Bakery Square in the East Liberty neighborhood of Pittsburgh holds multiple concerts throughout the summer months.  They bring in music, food trucks, beer, and for the concert in July, a sandbox for a wonderful evening of entertainment.

Bakery Square in Pittsburgh during Sunset

For this past concert, their summer kickoff event, cover band Radio Tokyo performed.  I first saw them at last year’s Bakery Square Beach Party (the concert in July).  I’ve seen them a few other times since.

Radio Tokyo at Autumnfest at Seven Springs, October 2017

They perform all kinds of hits from the 2000s and even some older songs.  They enjoy audience interaction and people dancing in front of the stage.

Radio Tokyo has had recurring concerts at different bars in the tri-state area, and has performed regularly at Penn State.  Last year, during the Beach Party, they did a rendition of Sweet Caroline, which all the Pitt people at the event went nuts over; but now, knowing that they perform at Penn State all the time, I wonder if they had other intentions.

Regardless, if you get the chance, you should definitely check out Radio Tokyo.  You can find them on Facebook.

---

All images copyright 2017-2018 Allen Howard/HDIC Productions.