West Windsor and Plainsboro residents will be performing in Mercer County Symphonic Band winter concert at Kelsey Theater on Wednesday, December 20, at 8 p.m. Musicians include Donna Munde and Anthony Travaglione on clarinet, Martin Timins on alto saxophone, Mike Davis on percussion, John Roeder on tuba, and David Halter on trombone. The program will include contemporary works for band, marches, selections from popular musicals and seasonal favorites. Admission is free.##M:[more]##
The 60-member ensemble, led by Louis Woodruff, includes area musicians ranging in age from 14 to 82. The band is supported by Mercer County Community College and through a grant from the Mercer County Cultural and Heritage Commission and the state Council on the Arts.
The program includes the National Anthem, Washington Post March (Sousa), The Cowboys (John Williams), Shadow Mountain (Frank Ericson), Irving Berlin Showstoppers, Hoagy Carmichael in Concert, Lerner and Loewe in Concert, and Proud Spirit (James Swearingen).
The holiday portion of the program includes Christmas Festival (Leroy Anderson), Christmas Tryptich (a suite of selections from various composers), Canadian Brass Christmas, Russian Christmas Music (Alfred Reed), two Chanukah tunes arranged by Woodruff, a Christmas sing along, and Sleigh Ride (Leroy Anderson). The concert ends with Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever.
“There are no auditions,” says Woodruff of the band’s membership. “Musicians are invited to sit in and make their own decision about continued involvement. However, we do maintain a challenging standard, which has inspired the musicians.” Rehearsals are Monday evenings at the college. Call 609-586-4800, ext. 3735 for information.
Winter Concert, Mercer County Symphonic Band, Mercer County College, Kelsey Theater, 609-584-9444. www.mccc.edu. Annual concert features traditional band music, holiday tunes, and patriotic songs. Audience participation is invited for the sing along of holiday music. Free. Wednesday, December 20, 8 p.m.
