Community Band Enthralls Crowd

The Monticello Community Band presented “an American Christmas” last Friday in the main Courtroom in the Jasper County Courthouse to a full house.

The concert began with the trombone choir playing O Holy Night. That was followed by An American Christmas, a medley of Toy Soldiers, Rock ye Merry Gentlemen, and Jingle Bells Forever.
Husband and wife Tyson Harty and Jehan El Jourbagy opened the next number with an exchange of words leading into Baby, It’s Cold Outside which featured duets by couples Chris and Kim Savage and Ray and Erin Buck.

After that the crowd heard Bell Carol a la Big Band, then went into an Appalachian Carol.

That was followed by a brief monologue by Stone Workman about the 1950s, followed by the band playing Jingle Bell Rock, Frosty the Snowman, The Christmas Waltz, and Home for the Holidays which Bobbi Sauls sang. Next it was a Cowboy Christmas.
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Before playing “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year, Jimmy Jordan shared a memory from Christmas past and there was break for those in the audience to do the same.

The concert closed with a “Pop” sing-a-long featuring the band playing and the audience singing, Santa Claus is Coming’ to Town, Silver Bells, Rudolph, the Red Nosed Reindeer, and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

The Monticello Community Band was founded in 2007, and has grown to 30 members with rehearsals once a month and concerts three times a yea. It is comprised of local musicians, students, music enthusiasts and former concert band members.

Regular rehearsal time is the first Monday of each month, September through July at 5:30 p.m. in the Jasper County High School band room. The next rehearsal will be Monday, Jan. 10. woodwinds are needed; all new members are welcome.

Those taking part last Friday included Amber Carter, Mary Camp and Amanda Cameron on flute; Ralph Hickman on saxophone, and Suzy Mitchell and Johnny Smith on horn.

Also, Chris Savage, Amanda Martin, Courtney King, Sandra Shockley, Jimmy Jordan, Eddie Ford, and Rick Witcher on trumpet, Matthew Benton, Tyson Harty, Stone Workman and Margaret Bermudez provided the percussion; Kim Savage, David Haisten and Linda Jordan on clarinet.

Also, Ray Buck, Greg Holder, Erin Buck, and Phillips Workman on trombone, Ben Patrick on baritone, and Les Steele on tuba. The band is conducted by Ms. El-Jourbagy.