Free concert at OUS on Sunday

The Greater Huntington Jazz and Symphonic Bands will perform their annual free spring concert 3 p.m. Sunday in the Ohio University Southern Riffe Rotunda in Ironton. 

The jazz band is directed by Tom Chaffin and will open the concert with “Big Noise from Winnetka”, followed by “MacArthur Park,” “Tuxedo Junction,” “I Can’t Get Started,” “Sister Sadie,” “Leap Frog” and “Opus One.” The symphonic band, under the direction of Matt Chaffins, will perform “Kinetic Dances,” “Hartshorn,” “Down a Country Lane,” “Army of the Nile,” “On an American Spiritual,” and selections from “Wicked.”

The symphonic band consists of approximately 50 members performing on various wind, brass, and percussion instruments that perform standard concert band arrangements representing multiple styles and genres. 

The jazz band has approximately 25 members, all of whom are members of the symphonic band, and performs standard jazz, big band and jazz rock arrangements. Both groups typically perform four concerts per year throughout the Tri-State including a spring concert, the annual July patriotic concert in Ironton, a fall pops concert and a Christmas concert.

The Greater Huntington Symphonic Band has existed for decades under several different names and conductors, but came together in its present form in 1964. The ensemble draws its membership from the greater tri-state area and is a non-profit organization funded solely by donations to purchase music. There is no audition requirement. Membership is open to anyone who has basic music reading and musicianship skills and loves to play band music.

Current members range in age from teens to octogenarians and represent all walks of life including students, retirees, and working professionals. 

Both bands are seeking new members. Symphonic band rehearsals are Thursday nights from 7-8 p.m. in the Vinson Middle School band room in Westmoreland, with the jazz band rehearsing from 8-9 p.m.