PORT TOWNSEND — Clarinet ensemble Toot Sweet, dressed in Victorian attire, will perform Thursday at Trinity United Methodist Church as part of the Candlelight Concert series.
The musical group will perform an array of musical genres from classical to contemporary.
The theme of the evening’s program will be “Times and Places,” featuring music from different eras and countries.
Included in the repertoire will be George Gershwin’s “Preludes I and II,” Antonio Jobim’s “Wave” and Patrick Hiketick’s “Jiddische Sjlimmert.”
Toot Sweet’s ensemble is composed of four instruments, including three soprano clarinets and a bass clarinet.
Members are John Adams, Vicky Blakesley, Mark Holman and Nancy Peterson.
“Toot Sweet rehearses weekly, generally at my home in Port Ludlow,” Peterson said.
“We follow each rehearsal with a sort of social hour, taking turns providing refreshments. We discuss a wide range of topics and have come to believe that the world would be a better place if everyone incorporated music into their lives.”
In other groups
The members of Toot Sweet all perform with other groups such as the Port Townsend Summer Band, Port Townsend Community Orchestra, Sequim Band and Port Angeles Symphony.
Both Adams and Blakesley began playing the clarinet at an early age and continued through their college years but found careers in other disciplines.
They both didn’t play their clarinets for more than two decades but have now gotten their “lips back in shape” and thoroughly enjoy their time performing with Toot Sweet, Peterson said.
Holman is new to the group, having replaced a former member who has moved out of the area.
He participated in music throughout his school years on clarinet and saxophone. Following high school, he spent three years in the Army Band, where he added the flute to his arsenal of instruments.
After getting his music degree at Western Washington University, he went on to teach music in public schools for 34 years.
Holman currently performs with the Dukes of Dabob and the Poulsbo Orchestra as well as Toot Sweet.
Peterson moved from California, where she was principal clarinetist with the Orange County Symphony.
She also performed with the Torrance Symphony, Long Beach Municipal Band and Coterie Symphonique.
Peterson studied with Mitchell Lurie and other acclaimed clarinetists and went on to teach instrumental music for 40 years in public and private schools.
This past year, she has performed with the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra and served as principal clarinetist with the Port Angeles Symphony.
When, where
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with the concert beginning at 7 p.m. at Trinity United Methodist Church, located at 609 Taylor St.
Admission is a suggested $10 donation, with children admitted free of charge. The proceeds will benefit a Victorian restoration program in Port Townsend.
Refreshments will be served following the performance.
For more information, call 360-774-1644.
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Reporter Chris McDaniel can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 56650, or at cmcdaniel@peninsuladailynews.com.
