ALAMOSA – The SLV Community Band will perform its annual spring concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, in Adams State University’s Richardson Hall, 208 Edgemont Blvd., Alamosa. The concert is free and open to the public. 

The concert is the highlight of the 2023-24 concert season and will represent the best of the band.

“The SLV Community Band is emerging from obscurity and is no longer a ‘best kept secret’ in the San Luis Valley,” stated Dr. Kerry Hart, director of the band. During this past season, the band was in demand to perform at the Potato Festival in Monte Vista, made a live recording at Society Hall by Howlin’ Dog Records in December – in combination of a Christmas concert that featured Don Richmond singing, “You’re a mean one, Mr. Grinch,” from The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

The band also performed at the Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce Christmas Bazaar and was featured at the Top of the Nation Honor Band at Adams State University (ASU) in a combined concert with the ASU Wind Symphony in March.

Recently, a recording of the combined SLV Community Band with the ASU Wind Symphony from the Top of the Nation Honor Band performance was used for ASU’s graduation ceremony on May 11.

The concert on May 30 will feature a variety of musical selections that includes music from the “Lion King,” a ragtime piece highlighting the talent of the band’s trombone section, an original band composition by Clifton Williams, a band transcription of “A Mighty Fortress is Our God” by Martin Luther, and an orchestral transcription of “Folk Dances” by Dmitri Shostakovich. In addition to the selections for the full band, the concert will feature a few numbers performed by the Hard To Be Humble Tuba Quartet – made up of the low brass contingent of the community band.    

The band is an important part of the musical culture of the Valley with a tradition of excellence dating back to the approximate time of the founding of the City of Alamosa in 1878. 

The SLV Community Band is open to any musician with band experience. Current participants range in age from middle school students through retirement age. Any musician interested in becoming a member of the SLV Community Band is encouraged to contact Hart, director of the SLV Community Band, at 719-587-3342.