The Mercer County Symphonic Band will present its annual winter concert on Wednesday, December 18, at 8 p.m. at Kelsey Theater in West Windsor. Admission is free.
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. Flute players Jessica Julius, Danielle Guarracino, and Annette Sheldon live in West Windsor. Tony Pappalardo, the retired High School South band director, is on trumpet.
The program includes classical, contemporary, and pops selections; a variety of seasonal favorites, and traditional marches. Included are “Meditation” from Thais by Massenet and movements from Offenbach’s “Ballet Parisien”; Swearingen’s “In All Its Glory,” the finale from Reed’s “Third Suite,” and a swing medley of Count Basie hits. Seasonal favorites include “Ancient Carol Variants” (on “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen”) and Leroy Anderson’s “A Christmas Festival” and “Sleigh Ride.” The evening ends with the band’s traditional seasonal sing along and its signature signoff, John Phillip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Under the direction of Lou Woodruff, the band is celebrating its 33rd season with 60 participating musicians spanning seven decades in age. Woodruff, who is completing his 13th year as the band’s director, also teaches psychology at Bucks County Community College and serves on the Governing Board of the National College Testing Association. The podium is shared with Gary Suabedissen, who plays flute in the band, and Michael Grothman, who performs on trumpet.
The band is open to all interested musicians without audition. Through focused weekly rehearsals, the members of the band are challenged to improve their individual technique and apply their group performance skills in the recreation of a wide range of musical compositions. The musicians perform at Kelsey Theater as well as at community events, holiday celebrations, and other venues open to the public.
Rehearsals are Mondays, September to June, from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., in CM156, the Music Suite. Musicians are invited to sit in a rehearsal and continue to participate if they feel a connection with the music and the group. For information about performing within the band, or to make arrangements for a sponsored band performance, contact Woodruff by E-mail at woodruff@bucks.edu or call 609-947-4040.
— Lynn Miller
Winter Concert, Mercer County Symphonic Band, Mercer County College, Kelsey Theater. Wednesday, December 18, 8 p.m. Free. 609-584-9444. www.Mercerband.org.
