Kishwaukee Concert Band to perform holiday classics

DeKALB – The Kishwaukee Concert Band will present a Holiday Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall on the Northern Illinois University campus.

The concert, conducted by Deb Shofner, is free and handicapped accessible. Masks are required. Parking is allowed in Lots 3, 14 and 4 near the NIU Music Building.

This concert is sponsored by an anonymous donor, and is supported by the DeKalb County Community Foundation and the Mary E. Stevens Concert and Lecture Fund.

The program includes a variety of seasonal favorites. “The Lighter Side of Christmas,” arranged by Frank Richards, is a selection of well-known Christmas tunes woven together in a bright fashion. “Jingle Bells Forever” is a concert march arranged by Robert W. Smith, which uniquely combines “Jingle Bells” and the “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

Robert Sheldon’s arrangement of “A Most Wonderful Christmas” is a medley of some of the most popular Christmas tunes. From the Paramount Picture, “The Lemon Drop Kid,” comes the very familiar “Silver Bells.” “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Gustav Holst, Robert W. Smith’s arrangement presents broad expansive strokes combined with great sensitivity and taste.

“Fantasy on a Bell Carol” is based on the ever popular “Carol of the Bells” by Edward J. Madden. “A Rollicking Hanukkah” is an arrangement by Randall D. Standridge that is a “whimsical work that puts you in the saddle of a horse galloping across a snowy plain to a Hannukkah Celebration.” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, and arranged by Douglas E. Wagner, is from the musical, “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

This is the 20th season of the all-volunteer Kishwaukee Concert Band. There are some members who are still involved, either performing or behind the scenes, after 20 years. Those musicians are Larry Apperson, Rich Carlson, Dave Lehman, Lowell May, Elli McLaughlin, Jay Monteiro, Deb Shofner, Jerry Zar, Aaron Butler and John Feken.

The Kishwaukee Concert Band is a tax-exempt charitable organization under IRS sec. 501(c)(3) and any contributions to the band are tax-deductible. Rehearsals are held from 7:15-9:15 p.m. Wednesdays at Huntley Middle School.

For more information on the band or to learn how to become a concert sponsor, visit kishconcertband.org.