ST. GEORGE — The Washington City Community Band will play their final concert of the season Friday at 7:30 p.m.
The 30-member band contains piccolo, flutes, oboe, clarinets, alto saxophones, tenor saxophones, a french horn, trumpets, trombone, baritone, tubas, string bass and drums. Musicians range in age from 20 to 70 years old.
“I am most looking forward to hearing a drastic change in our overall sound by playing in a room with ‘ringing’ acoustics, as opposed to racquetball-court like acoustics,” said Ruth Batt, music director. “I’m always excited to see our players shine and the joy they express as they perform.”
The band was founded by John Anderson upon his retirement and subsequent move to Washington. He noticed the lack of any community band and set out to form one. He put up notices all over the community announcing the formation of the community band and asked for players to join.
“I responded, hoping to join as a flute player,” Batt said. “At our first meeting on October 11, 2014 we had about 10 people show up. It was at this meeting that John Anderson asked me to be the music director of the band. I was thrilled to accept the offer. In the following months John and I aggressively tried to recruit for the band. We put up notices all over the community and online. We had a strong response from the community and gained many players this way.”
In its concert Friday, the band will perform selections by John Philip Sousa, “The March King,” highlights from “The Lord of the Rings,” “Carmen,” classical selections by Schumann and Rubinstein, a medley of Broadway hits by Rodgers and Hammerstein, and a piece that is a musical history of the United States.
The concert is free to the public, but donations are graciously accepted.
The band is looking for new members and will have informal jam sessions and sectionals throughout the summer. They rehearse Tuesdays from 7-9 p.m. in Washington during the season. Regular rehearsals will resume Sept. 1.
“We are always in need of players for the band,” Batt said. “We currently need trombones, french horns, clarinets, bass clarinets, bari saxophone and percussion players.
Event details
- What: Washington City Community Band
- When: Friday, June 5, 7:30 p.m.
- Where: LDS Chapel, 82 North Main Street, Washington
- Washington City Community Band Facebook
To join or learn more about the band, contact Ruth Batt | Email [email protected]
Related posts
- Community Band presents season finale concert
- Community Jazz Band seeks musicians
- New community concert band seeks players
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @stgnews