The Hoosick Falls Community Band will present its 34th Annual Christmas Concert on Wednesday, December 21 at 7:30 pm at the Presbyterian Church.
[private]The Community Band began as the 32nd Separate Company Band attached to the Local armory. Later it became the VanSurdam Band led by Henderson S. VanSurdam, who retired in 1938 after sixty-five years with the band. The band continued on in 1971 as the Hoosick Falls Community band with some of the original members from the forties and fifties along with many new members from the Hoosick Falls area.
The original focus of the band was the eight concerts in Wood Park, originally done by the elementary school at the foot of Classic Street. The band now continues the eight concerts along with Flag Day, and the Memorial Day parade.
The Christmas Concert was initiated by Pastor/clarinetist Robert Sprunger and has continued for 34 years. Some new happenings this year include the band being conducted by Timothy Stratton who is learning skills from Band leader Bill Gaillard. The band will also be conducted by Melissa Zimmerman, our elementary band instructor. Also new for this concert will be three local vocalists; David Sutton (performed with the band this past summer), Kristina (Krissy) Fauler, and Joe Shaw our percussionist and audio specialist.
Selections on this year’s program include: Ding, Dong, Merrily on High (conducted by Tim Stratton), Do you hear What I Hear (conducted by Melissa Zimmerman), Grown-Up Christmas List ( with Krissy Fauler), White Christmas ( with Joe Shaw and David Sutton), Christmas from The 50s ( with all three vocalists). Another new selectiion this year will be Themes From The Nutcracker. Other selections will be added including The Chipmunk Song.
A reception will be held in the Church Hall following the concert to which all are invited.
This concert is dedicated in memory to Judy Hoag, trombonuist and vocalist with the band who died shortly after last year’s concert. [/private]