Thanks to the concerted efforts of several organizations and companies, most of which are local, Santa Maria residents will be enjoying a free community concert by touring bluegrass band Special Consensus. The group, led by inveterate banjo player and performer Greg Cahill, has been touring for more than 37 years, and brings its seasoned skill to Santa Maria’s Abel Maldonado Youth Center on May 14.
“The Special Consensus tour quite a bit,” said Wendy Stockton, president of the Bluegrass Music Society of the Central Coast. “They have toured all over the United States and have played some in South America and Europe.”
The society was instrumental in getting the concert organized, because Special Consensus is in the area as the headliner for the organization’s annual festival, the Parkfield Bluegrass Festival happening May 10 through 13 in Parkfield. The organizers in the bluegrass society figured that while the group was around, it would serve to offer a community concert that also aimed at educating people about bluegrass music.
“One of the focuses of the band has been to perpetuate the music,” Stockton said, “and to prepare a curriculum for students and children called the ‘Traditional Bluegrass Music Program.’ They have prepared this curriculum through several different methods, including concerts like the one we are having on the 14th.”
The group won’t just be performing the community concert at the Abel Maldonado Youth Center, but will also put on a show for children at the St. Louis De Montfort Parish Hall in Orcutt, as well as a workshop for teachers on how to include acoustic music in teaching children. The whole day of music will be, in essence, education.
“It’s going to be a really fun concert in that it won’t just be a band playing songs,” Stockton said. “It will feature band members explaining their instruments, bluegrass history, bluegrass harmony, instrument use, and all the influences that helped create bluegrass.”
Bluegrass music is an almost entirely acoustic music that usually includes guitar, banjo, mandolin, bass, fiddle, and sometimes a dobro or slide guitar. These instruments are played, sometimes very fast, with rapid-fire solos. The vocals tend to be in the higher end of singers’ ranges and use layered vocal harmonies. Special Consensus exemplifies all of these traits, but also brings some other tricks into the mix.
“This band brings some other influences which are pretty friendly to bluegrass music, including swing, Irish music, and some jazz,” Stockton said. “A lot of different flavors are in this band’s music, and they can all be brought into bluegrass.”
Bluegrass really is an amalgamation of many different styles that came together thanks to the American melting pot. Due to increased awareness of the genre, it’s enjoyed a huge swelling of popularity within the last decade by people who just enjoy listening and people who enjoy playing the music. Stockton, before she ever became president of the society, picked up the banjo and started picking.
“It’s a lifelong music because the instruments are versatile through so many different settings,” she said. “Mostly it’s just fun and wonderful and it makes you feel good.”
The society wasn’t alone in making these shows happen; it required the help of several organizations. The International Bluegrass Music Society donated two grants to allow for the educational programs and pay the band, freeing the society to organize with other local organizations. The city of Santa Maria Parks and Recreation is acting as host to the event, donating the location and staff at the Abel Maldonado Youth Center for the show. To cover the rest of the band’s expenses, Altrusa International donated some money to the show as well. Local group P.L.A.Y. donated the necessary sound equipment for the show and provided volunteers to run the equipment. The Santa Maria Inn also donated its finest suite to the band at a discounted rate.
“Bluegrass musicians aren’t used to this kind of red carpet treatment,” Stockton said, “so it has been just amazing, this kind of support.”
From Russia with skill
The St. Petersburg Men’s Ensemble graces the Central Coast with its a cappella quartet singing of Russian Orthodox sacred music and Russian folk songs on May 10 at 7 p.m. at the Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 877 Francine Lane, Santa Maria. Another concert is May 16 at 7 p.m. at St. Timothy Antiochian Orthodox Church, 403 North J St., Lompoc. Goodwill offerings will be accepted. More info: 489-9133, ohowe@ytc.com, or ytc.com.
Living, breathing music
“Bringing Music to Life” features the Santa Ynez Valley Master Chorale, youth chorale, and orchestra performing several selections from classical music May 11 at 7:30 p.m., May 12 at 5, and May 13 at 3 p.m. at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Los Olivos.
Make it ‘Pop’
The Allan Hancock College Concert Band presents its final “Pops” concert of the 2011-2012 season on May 12 at 7:30 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 2970 Santa Maria Way, Santa Maria. Cost is $10, $5 for students. More info: 922-6966, Ext. 3252; soglesby@hancockcollege.edu; and hancockcollege.edu.
Saloon songs
The Maverick Saloon offers live entertainment, including rock music by Right as Rain in concert May 11 and 12 at 8:45 p.m. followed by “Late Night with guest DJs” at 11:30 p.m. at the saloon, 3687 Sagunto St., Santa Ynez. More info: 686-4785 or mavericksyv@aol.com.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in May 10-17, 2012.