Hope you had a wonderful Holiday

I know I did. Now I get to hang the Christmas Lights, and provide some news.

First, the Suburban Concert Band Holiday concert has been moved to December 9 from December 16. Thanks to Jim S. for the heads up.

Also, members of the Knightwind Ensemble will perform at Wisconsin Memorial Park for their Holiday Open House on Saturday December 3. The open house will run from noon to 3 PM, with entertainment in the Chapel of the Chimes. The small groups from the Knightwind Ensemble will perform at 1 PM. Click here for more information.

I hope to see you at the Horns A Plenty Christmas concert at the Marcus Center on Tuesday the 29th. I'll be there taking pictures. I did learn that the HAPC concert will include a special piece of Holiday music performed by a French Horn double-octet. Wow - 16 horns! You don't want to miss that one. See you there.

Happy Thanksgiving and a Concert Preview

Before I celebrate the Thanksgiving Holiday, I will be selling tickets and working the lobby at the Knightwind Ensemble concert on the 20th. Hope to see you there.

And may you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Holiday!

On to the concert preview! A special performance of the Horns A Plenty Christmas will occur at 7:30 PM on Tuesday November 29 at the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. French Horn players from all over the area will perform Christmas and Holiday music in a free concert. The neat thing about this concert is that the proceeds generated from the concert (sales of music books and fees paid by the musicians) will provide scholarships for French Horn players. If you have not heard of Horns A Plenty Christmas, check out their web site. And take time out of your schedule to hear a wonderful concert to get you in the Holiday spirit.

And if you have a conflict on the 29th, another Horns A Plenty Christmas concert will be held in Appleton on December 17.

A look ahead to the Holiday Season

Here is the list of upcoming concerts to celebrate the Holiday Season. If you have others, send me an email or post a response.

CHRISTMAS / HOLIDAY CONCERTS

November
29 - Horns A Plenty Christmas in Milwaukee, 7:30 Marcus Center for the Performing Arts

December
3 - Knightwind Ensemble small groups performing at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 1 PM
9 - Suburban Concert Band, 7:30, Nathan Hale High School
11 - Menomonee Falls Symphony, 3 PM, Sussex Hamilton PAC
16 - Lakeshore Symphonic Band, 6PM, Basilica of Holy Hill
17 - Horns A Plenty Christmas, 2 PM, Appleton, WI
18 - Milwaukee Festival Brass, 3 PM, Wisconsin Lutheran College

And a reminder that the final concert of the fall season is Sunday November 20 when the Knightwind Ensemble perform Masterworks for Winds at the South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center. Check the web site for a special discount on tickets while helping the Hunger Task Force.

Concert Discount to help the Hunger Task Force

Some news came in from the Knightwind Ensemble this week. They are teaming with the Hunger Task Force at their concert on Sunday November 20 at the South Milwaukee PAC. When you purchase a ticket at the door and bring in two non-perishable food items, you receive a $2 discount on that ticket. It's a great way to enjoy a wonderful concert and help the community. For more information on the Knightwind Ensemble concert, see their web site.

And speaking of the Knightwind Ensemble, a small group of players from the Ensemble will perform music in observance of Veteran's Day, beginning at 4 PM on Thursday November 10th in the Chapel of the Chimes at Wisconsin Memorial Park, 132nd and Capitol Drive.  The program is open to the public.

And I also heard from one of the Directors of the New Horizons Band in the Ozaukee / Washington / Sheboygan County area. She wants to get the word out about this group that brings the love of making music to more people, and helps bring cheer to folks who may have some challenges (nursing homes, senior centers, and the like). The Directors not only program the concerts and rehearse the group, they also give lessons to improve the performance level of the members. The band is self-funding, collecting dues from members to pay the expenses for music and such. This is a great program that deserves more than just a mention: you should check out their web site. And if you haven't picked up your instrument in 40 or more years, and would like to but just don't feel comfortable joining an established band, the New Horizons band may be just for you.

Concert Announcement - Waukesha Area Symphonic Band

I just heard from one of the members of the Waukesha Area Symphonic Band.  Their fall concert is Sunday November 13 at 7:30 PM in the Shattuck Auditorium on the campus of Carroll University in Waukesha.  Entitled Pulling Out All the Stops, the concert will feature music of old masters like Rimsky-Korsakov, Percy Grainger and Alfred Reed, music of the masters of today like Delafield resident and WASB Music Director, Rick Kirby, and music from the masters of tomorrow like Richard Saucedo and Dana Wilson.  

As a special treat, three pieces will feature organist John Sheaffer who is organist at First United Methodist Church in Waukesha.

Tickets are only $5 and are available in the Shattuck Auditorium lobby on the evening of the concert.