Mercer County Symphonic Band presents its annual winter concert on Wednesday, December 23 at 8 p.m., at Kelsey Theater. The band, conducted by Louis Woodruff, includes a variety of seasonal favorites, contemporary selections, and traditional marches. Mercer Singers, under the direction of Pam Sharples, performs with the band. A narrated version of “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” will be performed with the band. Admission is free.
West Windsor and Plainsboro musicians include John Roeder on tuba, Dave Halter on trombone, Mike Davis on percussion, Anthony Travaglione on clarinet, Martin Timins on alto saxophone, and Jim Yeh, West Windsor-Plainsboro High School, Class of 1997, on tuba.
The program includes Americans We, Henry Filmore; Copland Portrait, arranged by Clare Grundman; Dona Noblis Pacem, James Suddith; Parade of the Wooden Soldiers, Leon Jessel; Greensleeves, arranged by Alfred Reed; Toccata for Band, Frank Erikson; and Russian Christmas Music, Alfred Reed.
Also, March Grandioso, Roland F. Seitz; A Christmas Festival, Leroy Anderson; Two Hanukkah Tunes, arranged by Louis Woodruff; A Canadian Brass Christmas, Luther Henderson; and Sleigh Ride, Leroy Anderson.
The band, in its 28th year, is open to all area musicians — without audition. Participation is free. Performances include Kelsey Theater concerts, community events, holiday selections, and other venues open to the public.
Get your singing voice ready for the holiday sing-along including Winter Wonderland, Santa Claus is Coming to Town, White Christmas, and Jingle Bells.
“I enjoy playing in the band because it’s an opportunity to play music that I enjoy with a great group of musicians and people,” says John Roeder. “The winter concert is special because we enjoy getting out such old favorites as Leroy Anderson’s ‘Sleigh Ride’ and ‘A Christmas Festival.’ But we’ve got some new holiday music this year, too, so I hope that a lot of community members come out to partake of it. We enjoy seeing them in the audience and visiting with them during intermission.”
Winter Concert, Mercer County Symphonic Band, Mercer County College, Kelsey Theater. Wednesday, December 23, 8 p.m. Free. 609-584-9444. www.mccc.edu.
