The “1812 Overture” and the “Battle Hymn of the Republic” will be featured at the annual spring concert of the Mercer County Symphonic Band on Wednesday, June 3, at 8 p.m. at Kelsey Theater, on the West Windsor campus of Mercer County Community College. 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, John Roeder on tuba, and flute players Jessica Julius, Danielle Guarracino, and Annette Sheldon. West Windsor-Plainsboro High School alumni include Jim Yeh, Class of 1997, on tuba; and Birgitta Cagan, Class of 1990, on clarinet.
The band, under the direction of Louis Woodruff, has gained a reputation for high quality, entertaining performances, which routinely draw large audiences. In addition to the “1812 Overture,” the concert will feature contemporary American compositions such as Alfred Reed’s “Golden Jubilee,” Art Dedrick’s “A Touch of Tuba,” and Frank Ticheli’s arrangement of “Shenandoah.” Also included are many patriotic favorites, including Charles Ives’s “Variations on `America,’” and the band’s signature signoff, John Philip Sousa’s “The Stars and Stripes Forever.”
The band, in its 34th 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 on the West Windsor campus and accompanies the annual MCCC 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, June 3, 8 p.m. Free. 609-584-9444. www.mercerband.org.
