Photo caption 1: In order from left to right, the Bill Schuck Quartet is comprised
of Hadi Al-Saadoon, Bill Schuck, Ryan Mills, and Orion Boucher. © Yvonne Mill

Hosted by Eastern Sierra Land Trust and Bishop First United Methodist , Sunday, February 23 rd.

2 p.m. Mixer and Art Show at Eastern Sierra Land Trust (250 N. Fowler Street)
3 p.m. Concert at Bishop First United Methodist Church (205 N. Fowler Street).

An Eastern Sierra Harmony of Community, Land Conservation, Music, and Art
Eastern Sierra Land Trust and Bishop First United Methodist Church will host a
music and art series with events throughout 2020. For tickets, visit ESLT.org/events.

A bass chants a beat as a trumpet trills over the top. As The Bill Schuck Quartet
hums and harmonizes, their notes hanging in the Eastern Sierra air, you can go
meander through a maze of Rhondda Saunders’s bold, jump-off-the-canvas artwork.
That’s what 2020’s “In Harmony” music and art series hosted by Eastern Sierra
Land Trust and Bishop First United Methodist Church will look and sound like.

Each season, a new array of different Eastern Sierra guest musicians and artists will come
together to accompany and complement The Bill Schuck Quartet’s melodies. The
series opens with a first concert on Sunday, February 23 rd , and continues on May 10 th
(Mother’s Day!), August 2 nd , and November 8 th .

Whether you’re familiar with The Bill Schuck Quartet or not, you’re in for quite
an auditory treat. Hadi Al-Saadoon, the accomplished trumpeter of the quartet,
describes their group as “two young lions and two seasoned veterans putting together
high-energy jazz.” Throughout a lifetime of playing the horn, Hadi has performed and
recorded with countless artists, including Van Morrison, Vince Guaraldi, and Huey
Lewis. The other veteran of the group is its namesake Bill Schuck himself, a seasoned
and versatile musician. He has played and composed music throughout this life and
has taught music the Eastern Sierra for nearly 40 years. His piano playing as a part of
this quartet has been described as “exquisite,” “sensitive,” and “of the highest caliber.”

The “two young lions” as described by trumpeter Hadi, are Orion Boucher on
bass and Ryan Mills on drums. While Orion studied upright bass in the jazz idiom at
Berkelee College of Music in Boston, Ryan has played in professional symphonies and
led music programs in schools throughout California. Together, this spirited group will
be accompanied on February 23 rd by the clear, hearty vocals of Sandy Anderson.

But before the show, each event will begin with a casual and festive art show and
mixer at 2 p.m. at Eastern Sierra Land Trust’s office (250 North Fowler Street). Guests
can explore local artists’ inspiring and colorful handiwork while you enjoy delicious
local food and beverages. Then at 3 p.m., the music will start to play across the street
at Bishop First United Methodist Church.

As the community  comes together with land conservation, music, and art, they’ll create real Eastern Sierra harmony. Come be a part of it! Tickets are $50 for each event or $175 for all four events in the series, and benefit Eastern Sierra Land Trust and Bishop First United Methodist Church.

For more event information and tickets, visit ESLT.org. Please direct questions to
Amanda, ESLT Development Coordinator, at [email protected] or (760) 873-4554.

Photo caption 2: On February 23rd, community will come together with land
conservation, music and art to create a real Eastern Sierra harmony. Come be a part of
it! © Yvonne Mills