ALAMOSA — The SLV Community Band is slated to perform a live recording and Christmas concert that promises to be a little something for everyone at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, at Society Hall, 400 Ross Ave., Alamosa. Tickets are $10.
The concert by the SLV Community Band will be professionally recorded by Don Richmond/Howlin’ Dog Records, to recognize and digitize the SLV Community Band’s musical tradition of excellence of more than 100 years. Because of the timing of this recording, the concert is being combined with a musical celebration of the holiday spirit.
The first and shorter portion of the concert will be a live recording of a handful of band classics — i.e., some of the greatest pieces ever written for band — for international exposure and the promotion of the SLV Community Band.
The second part of the concert will consist of Christmas and holiday music that includes both traditional holiday tunes such as “What Child Is This?” and Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.” It will also include some new, non-traditional arrangements of familiar holiday tunes such as “Hark the Herald Tubas Sing” and “Christmas Eve/Sarajevo” — a version of “Ring Christmas Bells” as performed by the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
As a special treat, Richmond will be singing with the band on “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” — a television musical favorite based on the Dr. Seuss story.
The SLV Community Band is an important part of the musical culture of the San Luis Valley with a tradition of excellence dating back to the approximate time of the founding of the City of Alamosa in 1878. According to Dr. Kerry Hart, Director of the SLV Community Band, “The music culture of the Valley is more than the SLV Community Band. We also have some very talented vocalists in the Valley.”
For the recording of the SLV Community Band, Hart includes a version of Battle Hymn of the Republic combining choir and band.
“This piece is one of the greatest arrangements for band and choir and will really highlight both the vocal and instrumental talent of our Valley musicians,” Hart said.
“With an outstanding band and outstanding choir performing together in this venue — not to mention the inclusion of the Valley’s musical icon, Don Richmond — what better way is there to conclude this program than with a Christmas Carol Sing-Along with the instrumentalists and vocalists of the San Luis Valley?” Hart said. He added, “This concert promises to be an epic event.”
The concert on Dec. 8 is made possible through support from Society Hall, Richmond and Howlin’ Dog Records, the Adams State University Music Department, and the Alamosa School District.
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.
