Community Band Plays Sunday

The Monticello Community Band will perform at 2 p.m. on Sunday at Thomas Persons Hall.

The Saint Patrick’s-themed program features familiar Irish tunes such as Danny Boy, Molly Malone and The Minstrel Boy. The band will also play music from James Bond movies and other popular tunes.

The Monticello Community Band is a volunteer organization and draws musicians regionally. They perform three concerts a year. Discount tickets for the spring concert are available until Friday at 5 p.m. at the Monticello-Jasper County Chamber of Commerce ($10/person or $25/family) and EventBrite ($12.50/person).

Tickets are also available at the door for $20/person.

All proceeds cover band expenses, such as music, supplies and rehearsal space rental. Donations to the band also support the MCB Lifelong Music Scholarship, which is awarded to select high school graduates who participated in the band and express an interest in pursuing music on a lifelong basis. This scholarship will be awarded in May.

“We really want to thank everyone in the community who has donated to the Friends of the Band campaign and who attends our concerts,” said Jehan El-Jourbagy, the group’s director. “This band wouldn’t be possible without their generous support.”

Performing members include flutes Christy Bailey, Beth Gressel, and Carol Tucker, clarinets David Haisten and Kimberly Cregar, saxophones Bryant Harrison and CJ Whitmire, bass clarinet Nate McIntyre, and bassoon Ralph Hickman.

Also, trumpets Sam McCrosky, Charlie Trawick, Hope Brill, Owen Boatwright, Braden Hoffman, and Jimmy Jordan, trombones Greg Holder, Robert Cumbie and Owen Walls, and baritones Johnny Smith and Tareva Chine Lightfoot. Musicians also include horn Suzy Mitchello, tuba Ray Buck and percussionists Matthew Benton, Nancy Gunn and Tyson Harty.

For more information on the Monticello Community Band, visit its page on Facebook or contact the executive director, Jehan El-Jourbagy, at 706-816-0465.