The Garrett Community Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Sean Beachy, will present its 2023 spring concert on Sunday, May 7, at 3 p.m. in the Performing Arts Center at Garrett College, McHenry. The title of the concert is “Folk Music from Around the World.”
“I have always enjoyed folk music from other cultures and thought it would be nice to present a band concert that focuses on such a great genre of music,” said Dr. Beachy.
Concert goers will “travel the world” by experiencing a wide range of folk compositions from many different nations. The band will perform an Italian dance number by V.J. Tornello titled “Tarantella,” a German piece titled “Klezmer!” composed by Amy Webb, and from New Zealand, a well-known sailing song “The Wellerman Come,” arranged by Travis Weller. Canada will be represented with a Newfoundland folk song titled “Passerine” arranged by Carl Stommen, and moving south of the continental U.S., the band will present “Caribbean Rondo” by Pierre La Plante, and Joseph Compello’s “Mexican Folk Song Fantasy,” subtitled “Percussion Gone Buggy.” Moving back across the Atlantic, the band will play “Rhapsody on a Welsh Folk Song” by Douglas Court, “Icelandic Folk Song Suite No. 1” by Kelley Kristofferson, and “Folk Dances” by Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich.
American folk selections will round out the program as the band will present John Philip Sousa’s “Bonnie Annie Laurie March,” a number titled “American Riversongs” by Pierre La Plante, and a medley of highlights from the classic Gershwin musical “Porgy and Bess,” arranged by Douglas Wagner.
Ticket costs for the concert are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Tickets will be available from band members and at The Gallery in Oakland. Any remaining tickets will be sold at the door.
Membership in the Garrett Community Concert Band is open to all persons who have some experience playing a band instrument. There are no auditions, and all ages and skill levels are welcome. The band typically presents three concerts each year, and hold its rehearsals in the Garrett College auditorium on Tuesdays from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
“Over the past year, we have been fortunate to have new members join us, including several local retired music teachers, as well as students at Northern and Southern high schools,” said Beachy. “Anyone interested in joining the group is invited and encouraged to send an email to garrettconcertband@gmail.com for more information.”