Arlington Heights Community Concert Band presents holiday concert
The Arlington Heights Community Concert Band will perform its holiday concert, "Candy Canes." Audiences who attend should know there is nothing traditional about this concert, not even a singalong.
You will hear some "traditional" music, but not the way you remembered it. Take, for example, "Good King Wence-Salsa." Imagine the Good King doing a little Latin dance. Then there is "Jing, Jing, Jingle," a jazzy tune where Saint Nick meets Benny Goodman and his drummer, Gene Krupa. This piece was arranged by Chris Sharp of "O Brother, Where Art Thou" soundtrack fame.
"C'est Noel" contains familiar Christmas melodies. However, along with the original material, fresh contemporary sounds are woven into each piece.
Listen for the three standard Christmas songs. Sammy Nestico arranged "A Fireside Christmas." Nestico, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is most known for his arrangements for the Count Basie orchestra.
"Candy Canes" takes place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16, at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Admission is free, but seating is limited. To reserve tickets, call (847) 718-7702 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., or email ahccbtickets@gmail.com.
Any remaining tickets will be available at the door. The band accepts tax-deductible donations to offset the cost of concert production and new music.
The Arlington Heights Community Concert Band started with three musicians in November 1979 and has grown to more than 65 dedicated volunteer musicians of all skill levels and ages. The band is led by director Mike Madonia.
Interested musicians are always welcome. Membership is open to anyone ages 14 and older who has experience playing a musical instrument. No audition is required and seat placement is at the conductor's discretion.
The band members have varied skill levels, from professional musicians to former high school and college musicians. Weekly rehearsals are from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesdays, usually at Forest View or a local district school. The first several rehearsals of each concert cycle allows time for potential interested musicians to visit and check them out.
The Arlington Heights Arts Commission recently honored the Arlington Heights Community Concert Band with its 2018 annual Cultural Arts Award. The Cultural Arts Award celebrates achievements of artists or groups of artists in Arlington Heights who have created a substantial body of work in their field.
The band, in partnership with District 214 Continuing Education, receives support from the Arlington Heights Park District, the Village of Arlington Heights and the Daily Herald Media Group.
The mission of the Arlington Heights Community Concert Band is to provide musical entertainment to the community, to provide opportunities for community members to join and be part of a musical organization, to provide for individual musical expression and growth, and to contribute to the community's music appreciation.
Information about the band is available at www.arlingtonheightsband.org.
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