Stanly County Concert Band performs at Central Methodist
Published 3:36 pm Tuesday, December 10, 2024
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An audience of approximately 170 filled Central United Methodist Church on Dec. 5 to hear the annual Christmas Concert performed by the Stanly County Concert Band, including the Pfeiffer University Wind Ensemble.
Seasonal songs performed included the traditional “Greensleeves,” “Carol of the Bells” by Mikola Leontovich and Peter Wilhousky and a Christmas medley titled “With Good Will and Glad Tidings.” Also performed was the more contemporary “Grown-Up Christmas List,” written by David Foster and Linda Jenner, which featured Pfeiffer vocalist Ellie Mullins.
In addition to the traditional Christmas songs, the concert opened with selections from the band’s recent fall performance, including “All the Earth and Air” by Tyler Grant, “Incandescent Sky” by Robert Sheldon, and “Land of the Healing Waters” by Rossano Gallante.
Those in the audience were afforded the opportunity to participate as well, with Concert Band member Lisa Ewers leading a mid-performance sing-along of “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Up on the Housetop” and “Deck the Halls.”
The Concert Band includes area musicians and Pfeiffer students, with 49 performers on hand for Thursday’s event. A team of three directors, Tim Hedrick, Carmella Hedrick, and Frank Poolos, conduct the group’s performances.
“Anyone with a love of music who plays a band instrument is welcome to be a part of this very talented ensemble,” said Johnny Almond, who doubles as a percussionist and announcer for the band. “And, our mission is to provide lifelong participation in music and to enhance the cultural life of Stanly County and the region through free or low cost performances.”
Thursday’s concert was sponsored by the local businesses, Stanly County Concert Association and made possible by support from the Stanly County Arts Council and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the NC Department of Natural and Cultural Resources.
About the Stanly County Concert Band
The Stanly County Concert Band came about after James Cotton and Stephanie Zunino sought to create an opportunity for those who play concert band instruments to play again. Soon afterwards,
In the spring of 2012, a group met to create the band. The original members who became the Board of Directors were James Cotton, Stephanie Zunino, Tim Hedrick, Carmella Hedrick, Frank Poolos, Doug Craig, Walt Summerlin and Dr. David Kirby from Pfeiffer University.
A partnership with Pfeiffer University grew from the original group, with Kirby instrumental in establishing the connection. Through the partnership, the Concert Band was able to use Pfeiffer’s facilities to practice, and in turn, the Concert Band became the performance vehicle for Pfeiffer’s music students. Unfortunately, Kirby passed away before the band officially started, so the first concert in November 2012 was dedicated in his memory.
From the beginning, the band’s purpose was not only to provide local musicians an opportunity to play, but also to offer the citizens of Stanly County and the surrounding area free or low cost concerts.
Currently, the band performs two to four concerts annually, and since its inception has grown to around 50 members.
All early concerts were performed at the Pfeiffer University Chapel, but in November 2013, the Stanly County Concert Association sponsored the band’s first themed concert. The event, “A John Williams Tribute,” was held at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. The concert was a success and spurred the band’s move to performing almost exclusively at the Agri-Civic Center.
Interested in Joining the Band?
Those interested must be 18 years or older to be a member and have at least high school experience playing an instrument.
Rehearsals are held at Pfeiffer University in the band room on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:15.
E-mail contact@stanlycountyconcertband.com for more information.
Toby Thorpe is a freelance writer for The Stanly News & Press.