UVa-Wise bands to hold concert at Jettie Baker Center Oct. 26

In celebration of the rebirth of instrumental music classes in Dickenson County schools, two bands from The University of Virginia’s College at Wise will present a fall concert at the Jettie Baker Center in Clintwood at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 26.

After disappearing for almost a decade, instrumental music is once again offered to county students. The UVa-Wise chapter of the Music Educator’s National Conference was instrumental in helping bring band back to Dickenson County.

The concert is free and open to the public, but anyone with a trumpet, clarinet, saxophone, flute or other band instrument that is just gathering dust is encouraged to donate it to the Dickenson County Public Schools.

The UVa-Wise Jazz Ensemble, under the direction of Donnie Sorah, will perform various styles of American music. The ensemble will perform “The Southeast Sixstep,” “Ivory Moon,” ‘Groovin' Hard’’ and “Bring It On Home. Vocal soloist Mandy Barton Gibbs and trombone soloist Kelly Sorah will be featured on “When I Fall in Love” and “Spring Can Really Hang You up the Most.” The Jazz Ensemble concert concludes with a rocking rendition of one of the most popular tunes of the 1970s, Chicago’s “25 or 6 to 4.”

The Highland Winds, under the direction of Richard Galyean, will perform songs with an American flavor, including “Amazing Grace” and “American Overture.” Other selections will include “Concord,” a song based on Revolutionary War tunes. “Air for Band” and a rousing performance of the fourth movement of “Pineapple Poll” are also in the band’s repertoire.

For more information, contact the Office of College Relations at 276-328-0130.

Posted October 14 2009