Christmas Band Concert To Be Held December 14

The Monticello Community Band will perform Winter Weather at 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 14, in the main Courtroom of the historic Jasper County Courthouse.

The concert celebrates the winter season, including sleigh rides, snowy days, hot chocolate and snowmen.

The band includes instrumentalists from all walks of life, including local music teachers, former band members, current students and regional musicians.

“This concert always feels extra special because it takes place in the Courthouse, which is such a beautiful centerpiece of our community,” said Jehan El-Jourbagy, the executive director of the band. For the past 11 years, she has conducted the band. This year, she will play saxophone in the ensemble and emcee the Christmas concert.

“This year, Chris Savage, the director of bands at Jasper County High School, and Matt Jernigan, the band director at Putnam County Middle School, have been rehearsing the band and will be conducting at the concert,” El-Jourbagy said. She continued, “They are trained and skilled music educators, and their leadership is really helping to develop our sound and musicality.”

The community band provides three concerts a year, including a Christmas Concert, a spring concert and a free Memorial Day concert. The band seeks to promote the arts and provide an opportunity for local and regional musicians to play together and learn from each other.

In addition, the band encourages lifelong musicianship by providing scholarships to graduating seniors who have played with the band.

A limited number of discount tickets ($5/person or $15/family) are available until Friday, Dec. 7, at the Chamber of Commerce and Southern Embroidery Works on the Monticello square. Starting December 8, all tickets are $10/person. For more information, visit their page on Facebook or call 706-816-0465.