This content was originally published by the Longmont Observer and is licensed under a Creative Commons license.
Sunday, February 23rd, at 4:00 p.m., the Longmont Concert Band (LCB) presents a free concert, “Symphonic Classics for Concert Band,” at Silver Creek High School, 4901 Nelson Road in Longmont. The performance will include classics such as Shostakovich’s Festive Overture, Prokofiev’s March Opus 99, Grainger's Mock Morris, and excerpts from the Gilbert and Sullivan-inspired comic ballet Pineapple Poll.
For the fifth year, the LCB will welcome and share the stage with members of the St. Vrain Valley School District Middle School Honor Band, performing side-by-side with LCB members. Together, performers from both groups will play music performed by the SVVSD Honor Band Concert at its concert earlier this month. This tradition provides a unique opportunity for these young musicians to experience music-making as part of a community concert band made up of local adults.
“This should be a great concert featuring concert band classics,” said LCB Conductor Gary Lloyd. “We are excited to include members of the SVVSD Middle School Honor Band performing side by side with us. It's a great opportunity for these young people to experience music with adults who have made music a life-long passion!”
Honor band students were selected by SVVSD band directors to participate in an all-school-day clinic and evening performance held on Feb. 5. Directors invite a guest conductor/clinician, respected director from the music educator community. This year's conductor was Mike Perez from Ft. Collins.
For five years, LCB's Conductor Gary Lloyd has extended an invitation to any interested students to join the LCB for this special joint performance. Lloyd noted that not all of them take advantage of this opportunity, but those that do report enjoying the experience. The idea for the performers to share the stage came from LCB member Bill Schneider, who was volunteering in Altona M.S. working with band students. In 2016, select Altona 8th grade band students were invited, and since then the offer was made to the whole SVVSD Honor Band during its clinic each year.
"I love that the Longmont Concert Band provides this opportunity for young music students,” said Altona Middle School Director of Bands Dana Clanin. “They can see that making music can be a life-long experience, even if it isn't their chosen career. I hope they see they can continue playing music even if they plan to study to be an engineer or an accountant."
