by Kirby Lindsay Laney,
Originally published on December 14, 2005, in the North Seattle Herald-Outlook
Don’t dare to imply our Fremont Philharmonic is anything but genuine. The Fremont (California) Philharmonic may fulfill the more traditional, conventional image of a philharmonic, but when Kiki Hood dared to refer to the California group as ‘real,’ John Cornicello gave us an impassioned lesson in semantics.
Original Music
‘Philharmonic’ means ‘lover of music,’ or literally ‘loving harmony,’ and no more apt description exists of the Center of the Universe’s Fremont Philharmonic.
Kiki – who plays recorder, kazoo, hand percussions and human Theremin for the Fremont ‘Phil’ – meant nothing by her comment, and neither did John (who plays keyboards.) They’ve had to distinguish themselves on the group’s website from the similarly named but profoundly distinct California orchestra for musicians looking for an audition.
Fremont Phil’s founder, Fred Hawkinson (trombone,) has agreed to “controlled growth” of the band. “Not just anyone,” will get in, Kiki joked but salamander (tuba/sound effects coordinator) admitted the group will welcome “people who want to play what we play.”
“99.8 percent” of its music is original, Fred explained with a noticeable lack of bravado, consider he’s credited with writing most of it.
“We try to provide the music that’s needed,” as house band for Fremonstor Theatrical. Fremonster produces fire performances as Cirque de Flambé and authentic British Panto as Fremont Players.
Fred describes the music as “panto and vaudeville” – a creative, unconventional harmony that feels like a natural extension of the neighborhood that named the band.
More Exposure
Performing recent at the Fremont Chamber of Commerce Lenin Lighting holiday event, the Phil struck a few Russian-inspired chords. It fit the event, as well as the circus/carnival tradition they give nod to.
The Phil belongs to, possibly even started, a growing interest within Seattle, and in Fremont, for circus music. While at the end of the 20th century circus arts appeared to have died out in all but Moscow, a revival has begun, and right in our back yard.
Circus Contraption and SANCA (School of Acrobatics & New Circus Arts) offer classes in aerial arts, juggling and Circus 101. This contemporary form of circus focuses on human stunts and feats of derring-do that cause an audience member’s imagination to twist even more than a contortionist.
They’ve left out the animals and reinvented the performance – borrowing from vaudeville, burlesque and carnival – as well as the music that goes with it.
Circus Contraption performs shows, but its band has gained a following of its own. Another local band, The Bad Things, has a similar sound and stage presence but its music has been classified junkyard waltz or gypsy music.
SANCA has added a class in circus music, the only prerequisite being knowledge of some instrument.
Pam MacRae (clarinet) has seen this increased interest as “circus arts are getting more exposure.” However, circus music “didn’t exist before us,” she said.
Formed in 2001, the Fremont Philharmonic musically exposes unfamiliar but not unwelcome territory to most audience members.
Salamandir responded to this unique sound while working security at a Cirque de Flambé show. He approached Sasha Malinsky (one of the two drummers) and brashly announced that he wanted to join. He insisted he’d take any part they gave him, “I don’t care what it is.” When I asked if he could really play ‘anything’, he gave me a simple, “yes.”
Salamandir asked about auditions? Tryouts? Sasha said, “Just show up for rehearsal.” Simple as that.
Community House Band
Frequently, the Fremont Phil serves as our community house band. Available for private events and parties, it’s lent itself for numerous community activities including the Fremont Rotary Club’s Underground Soup Nights, audio updates for the Fremont Bridge Approach project, and the Great Wallingford Wurst Festival.
Sometimes the members appear in costumes, fire proximity suits or, on one memorable occasion, dressed as vegetables.
Alan Friedman (drums,) Jeremy Reinhold (baritone horn,) and Stuart Zobel (guitar) also perform with the group. Ted Lockery (trumpet) gave me a conversational “no comment” at our interview, while Kim Porto (flute) gleefully learned when she was introduced to me that she’s now a full-fledge member of the orchestra.
Kiki calls herself the “least dedicated” of band members, but she shows up to pick out notes on her recorder even on cold winter nights bathed in Lenin’s red lights.
“It’s more difficult to schedule so many people,” John admitted, especially when they all have real lives (read: day jobs) since alternative, cutting edge theater doesn’t pay much.
“There was a need for it,” Fred explained of his original inspiration behind the band.
You can check out the website (although the Facebook page is more up-to-date,) or catch the group at Moisture Festival in the spring, March – April.
Why wait that long? Because they’re worth it!
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©2016 Kirby Laney. This column is protected by intellectual property laws, including U.S. copyright laws. Reproduction, adaptation or distribution without permission is prohibited.