Symphonic band to perform fall concert Sunday

Published 7:28 am Friday, September 7, 2018

HUNTINGTON — The Greater Huntington Symphonic Band, under the direction of Mr. Tommy Thompson, will perform its annual fall concert at 6 p.m. Sunday at the 14th Street gazebo in west Huntington. In addition, the Greater Huntington Symphonic Band Jazz Ensemble, directed by Mr. Frank Hayes, will also perform.

Opening the program will be the jazz ensemble, playing arrangements of five Big Band Era standards, including “That Old Black Magic Hat,” “But Beautiful,” “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Moonlight Serenade,” and “Theme from New York, New York.” The symphonic band will perform selections of a patriotic theme, including “American Salute,” “Captain America,” “The Liberty Bell,” and “The National Game” marches.

They will also perform an arrangement of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” along with popular selections from movies and musicals, including “The Great Escape,” “John Williams in Concert,” and “Abba on Broadway.” In addition, “One More Time Chick Corea” and “Montego Bay,” with a Brazilian and Afro-Cuban feel, respectively, and a Duke Ellington big band medley will also be featured.

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Thompson has directed the ensemble since 1990, and it draws membership from the greater Tri-State area, including Huntington, Charleston, Ashland, Ironton and Russell-Flatwoods. It is a nonprofit organization funded solely by donations to purchase music. 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. The band rehearses at 7 p.m. Thursday nights in the Vinson Middle School band room in Spring Valley.

Admission to the concert on Sunday is free, however, donations to support the purchase of new music will be accepted.