Mercer County Symphonic Band presents its annual winter concert on Wednesday, December 21, at 8 p.m. at Mercer County College’s 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.
New 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.
Contemporary selections in the program include “Tribute to Stephen Foster” arranged by Sammy Nestico, Ralph Vaughan Williams’s arrangement of “Sea Songs,” and Robert Russell Bennett’s arrangement of music from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “The King and I.” Among the classics are the overture to Mozart’s opera, Il Re Pastore; “Pas Redouble,” a galop by Saint-Saens; and themes from Richard Strauss’s “Also Sprach Zarathustra.” Among the marches to be performed is the band’s signature signoff, “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Seasonal favorites include Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Festival,” and 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 30th year, is open to all area musicians, including MCCC students, without audition. It does not carry course credit. Participation is free. The band performs at Kelsey Theater and accompanies the annual MCCC graduation ceremony. Performances also include community events, holiday celebrations, and other venues open to the public. Visit www.mercerband.org for more information.
Winter Concert, Mercer County Symphonic Band, Mercer County College, Kelsey Theater. Wednesday, December 21, 8 p.m. Classics, contemporary music, and traditional marches including “Stars and Stripes Forever,” “Tribute to Stephen Foster,” and “A Christmas Festival.” Holiday sing-along. Free. 609-584-9444. www.mercerband.com.
