Fox Valley Concert Band celebrates the season
Fans of concert bands and holiday music will want to head over to the Baker Community Center in St. Charles Saturday evening.
The Fox Valley Concert Band, which is celebrating its 25th season, will host its "Home for the Holidays" concerts at 4 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. But the free annual musical event is becoming so popular that the afternoon concert is already reserved and seats are filling fast for the evening event.
"It's a very popular concert," said Danielle Pepa, the band's vice president, who also plays flute and piccolo with the group. "We get so many compliments about how wonderful and holidayish the atmosphere is there."
But while the poinsettias and festive decorations are beautiful, the music is the real draw.
The Fox Valley Concert Band, which has about 80 volunteer members from throughout the Chicago suburbs, will perform some treasured favorites such as "Sleigh Ride" and "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" along with some Hanukkah music and holiday music from Russia. The repertoire for the evening will also include some more contemporary melodies as well as those with medieval themes.
"We like to mix it up," Pepa said.
Colin Holman, who has conducted the Fox Valley Concert Band for the past 15 seasons, also led the group into the studio this summer to record a Christmas CD, which will also be for sale at the concert for $15.
The CD also has a mix of favorites new and old including the title track "The Most Wonderful time of the Year" and "Sleigh Ride." Some of the small ensembles also have their chance to shine on the CD. The French horns section recorded a version of "Jingle Bells" and "We Three Kings" features the concert bands saxophones.
The group has been performing concerts throughout the year for 25 seasons. Each Tuesday night the musicians gather for practice at Geneva High School.
In addition to Saturday's concerts, the Fox Valley Concert Band will perform for the residents of the Holmstad in Batavia and the Sun City Del Webb retirement community in Huntley in December.
Reservations for Saturday's concert may be made by following the calendar link on the band's Web site www.fvcb.org. Reservations may also be made or holiday CDs purchased by calling Pepa at (847) 695-7096.
The Baker Community Center is at 101 S. Second St. in St. Charles.
If you go
What: Fox Valley Concert Band
Upcoming shows: 4 p.m. (sold out) and 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Baker Community Center, 101 S. Second St., St. Charles; 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Holmstad in Batavia; and 7:30 p.m. Dec. 13 at Del Webb Sun City in Huntley
Info: Visit www.fvcb.org