Mercer County Symphonic Band presents its annual spring concert on Wednesday, May 30, at 8 p.m. at Kelsey Theater. The program includes a variety of classics for band, contemporary selections, seasonal favorites, and traditional marches. Admission is free.
Longtime West Windsor and Plainsboro musicians include Dave Halter on trombone, Martin Timins on alto sax, Anthony Travaglione on clarinet, Mike Davis on percussion, and John Roeder on tuba. West Windsor-Plainsboro High School alumni include Jim Yeh, Class of 1997, on tuba; and Birgitta Cagan, Class of 1990, on clarinet.
Newer members of the band include three flute players who live in West Windsor — Jessica Julius, Danielle Guarracino, and Annette Sheldon — plus recently retired High School South band director Tony Pappalardo in the trumpet section.
The band, under the direction of Louis Woodruff, presents an eclectic performance of classics, popular music, and marches. Among the band classics to be played are Saint-Saens’ “Marche Militaire Francaise,” Gershwin’s “An American in Paris,” Osterling’s “Blue Mist,” Erickson’s “Air for Band,” Grundman’s “Fantasy on American Sailing Songs,” and Jager’s “Third Suite.” The popular favorites include medleys from “The Music Man,” “Oklahoma!,” “Les Miserables,” and “The Sound of Music,” songs by Irving Berlin and Hoagy Carmichael, and tunes from movies produced by Walt Disney. Marches come from the pens of Henry Fillmore and John Phillip Sousa, including the band’s signature signoff, “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
The band, in its 31st year, is open to area musicians, including MCCC students, without audition. It does not carry course credit. Participation is free. The band performs at the Kelsey Theater and accompanies MCCC’s graduation ceremony. Performances also include community events, holiday celebrations, and other venues open to the public.
Spring Concert, Mercer County Symphonic Band, Mercer County College, Kelsey Theater. Wednesday, May 30, 8 p.m. Classics, contemporary music, and traditional marches including “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Free. 609-584-9444. www.mercerband.com.
