There will be something to please a variety of
musical tastes when the Calaveras Community Band presents its annual fall
concert under the direction of conductor Mic Harper on Sunday, November 2, 3
p.m. in the Dr. Elliot A. Smart Performing Arts Center at Bret Harte High
School in Angels Camp.
For
jazz aficionados there will be Five to Go a quintet for saxophones and
band. Latin music lovers will be excited by Fuego del Alma featuring
Larry Mangili on trumpet. The urge to
dance will accompany Johann Strauss's polka schnell Thunder and Lightening.
Other works to be performed include The
Walking Frog, a circus two-step by Karl King,
the lively Zampa Overture by Louis Heold, and Leroy Anderson's Irish
themed The Last Rose of Summer.
Several other numbers from the
band’s extensive repertoire will complete the program.
Everyone, young and old, is
encouraged to be in attendance as the band wraps up a successful musical summer
in the beautiful parks of Murphys, Valley Springs, and San Andreas. There is no admission charge, but
donations will be welcomed to help support the band.
Harper
cautions that Saturday, the day before the performance, will mark the end of
Daylight Savings Time so people should check their clocks. “We would hate to have you miss the concert.”
The Calaveras Community Band traces
it history to the days following the Gold Rush.
Men would brush away the grime of the mines, put on a uniform, take up
their musical instruments and entertain the crowds at many public
functions. Creating music brought extra
meaning to their lives and provided a counterpoint to the stresses of the day.
In those times they were known as
the Angels Camp Miners Band, the Murphys Independent Cornet Band, or by a dozen
other names.
Today the Calaveras Community Band
carries on this honored tradition. The
age range has been expanded. Women are
now welcomed and respected. The military
uniforms have been put aside. But the
spirit remains the same – people who love to play music performing for those
who enjoy listening. And together they
create a relaxing and enriching environment.
“We greatly
appreciate the enthusiastic audiences who attended our concerts this
summer in Murphys Community Park and Turner Park in San Andreas” says Harper. “The
musicians had a wonderful time playing jazz, swing, and summertime
favorites.
“We
are grateful to Mountain Man Catering for donating proceeds from the July 4th
barbeque to the band. We also thank the Murphys Community Club for
allowing us to spend our summers playing music in Murphys Park, Save Mart for
its donations through its S.H.A.R.E.S. program, and Angels Food and
Sierra Hills Markets for donating through their Community Club cards.
“We
continue to look for new musicians to join us, or if you have an instrument you
no longer use, please donate it to the band so we can put it in the hands of
student musicians who need an instrument.”
For
information, contact Carol Betz 728-9057 or Mic Harper 533-0941.
