Submitted by Nelson Community Band
The warm spring breezes are finally back, and with them the sounds of the Nelson Community Band rehearsing for their upcoming concert on June 21. This is a significant concert because it marks the first performance since December 2019.
Due to restrictions and concerns, rehearsals were starting and stopping frequently over the last two years, and it is only now that the band has been able to present a performance ready for the public. Many organizations have found it difficult to re-establish the same numbers of participants. Nelson Community Band is no exception, but they have managed to provide excellent instrumentation despite limited numbers. The band has about 20 members currently, and room for more in the fall!
The June 21 concert is playfully called the Summer Release Concert; it falls on the first day of summer, it is certainly a release to be able to play in public again, and many of the numbers on the program are drawn from movie releases of the past. The Hoagy Carmichael medley features several soundtrack hits, including an Academy Award winner. Other shows represented include The Rabbit of Seville, Pink Panther, the Blues Brothers, Star Wars, Avengers, and even a little Mamma Mia!, to name a few.
An exciting feature of this 2022 concert is the special guests The Trail Maple Leaf Band. Trail’s concert band celebrated their 100th anniversary in 2017. However, their numbers have also been severely affected. It is a small but dynamic band that will be performing some numbers, then join the Nelson Community Band for four combined performance pieces. This historical moment is made possible by our longstanding director Laura Johnson, who has also taken up the baton with the Trail band this year.
For fans who look forward to hearing the band play on Canada Day at Lakeside Park, please watch for the day’s schedule when it comes out. We hope to be playing around noon, but have not been informed yet. We cannot wait to be part of this great community celebration.
The Nelson Community Band is looking forward to delighting their audience on June 21 at 7:30 p.m., in the First Baptist Church at 611 5th St. in Nelson. Tickets are only $10, and youth 18 and under are free. In the interest of keeping safe, audience members are encouraged to wear masks.