The two upcoming band concerts in West Windsor feature seasonal, pop, and classical music. Both concerts offer free admission and general seating.
The High School South Band’s winter concert will be held on Friday, December 17, at 8 p.m. in the school’s new performing arts theater. The concert features the symphonic band, Wind Ensemble, and Wind Symphony in an array of seasonal music, “Greensleeves”, “Bugler’s Holiday,” and “Sleigh Ride” along with the music of American composers. All band alumni and musicians in the community are invited to perform with the combined bands finale of “Sleigh Ride.” Bring your instrument and join the bands on stage. If you would like a copy of “Sleigh Ride” E-mail tony.pappalardo@ww-p.org.
The Mercer County Symphonic Band presents its annual winter concert on Wednesday, December 22, at 8 p.m. at Kelsey Theater on the Mercer Community College campus. Admission is free.
The program includes classics such as Bizet’s “Carmen Suite” and Prokofiev’s “Troika,” and contemporary selections include “Turkey in the Straw,” “Trombone Rag,” and “Gaslight Gaities.” Three Sousa marches will be performed, including the band’s signature signoff, “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
The seasonal favorites include Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Festival” and Emile Schillis’s “Festival of Lights.” The audience will be invited to join in singing “Winter Wonderland,” “White Christmas,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Jingle Bells,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” and “Sleigh Ride.”
The band, in its 29th year, is open to all area musicians without audition. The musicians perform at Kelsey Theater, Mercer College graduation, community events, holiday celebrations, and other venues open to the public.
West Windsor and Plainsboro residents in the band include David Halter on trombone, Anthony Travaglione on clarinet, Martin Timins on alto saxophone, Mike Davis on percussion, and John Roeder on tuba. Jim Yeh, WW-P High School, Class of 1997, plays tuba and one of the newer members of the band is Tony Pappalardo, band director at High School South.
— Lynn Miller
Winter Concert, Mercer County Symphonic Band, Mercer County College, Kelsey Theater. Wednesday, December 22, 8 p.m. Free. 609-584-9444. www.mccc.edu.
Band Winter Concert, High School South, 346 Clarksville Road, West Windsor. Friday, December 17, 8 p.m. Free. 609-716-5050. www.ww-p.org.
