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Illinois Brass Band to perform 'Holiday Classics' Dec. 16

The Illinois Brass Band will be performing its eighth annual "Holiday Classics" concert at 5 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16, at Baker Memorial United Methodist Church, 307 Cedar Ave., St. Charles.

The 30-member British style brass band, under the direction of music director Stephen Squires, will present a concert of holiday classics, both secular and sacred.

The concert will open with the brilliant "Christmas Fanfare" by Brian Sadler. Sadler, a U.S. Navy bandsman has transcribed this piece especially for the Illinois Brass Band and its premier performance at this year's holiday concerts.

The featured work on the concert is "A Christmas Overture" by Nigel Hess and arranged for band by Phillip Littlemore.

The medley of traditional carols, skillfully juxtaposed and interwoven, provides the thematic material: "Ding Dong! Merrily on High"; "Deck the Halls"; "Il Est Ne Le Divin Enfant"; "Infant Holy, Infant Lowly"; "Personent Hodie"; and "Angels" from the "Realms of Glory," which brings the overture to a majestic close.

Soloists from within the band will be showcased on a number of songs, including the jazzy "Comin to Town" and the classic "Frosty the Snowman."

The band also will feature the Stephen Bulla arrangement "Rhapsody for Hanukkah," which features many of the traditional melodies of the season.

Jennifer Gingrich will be once again be joining the band as the featured vocalist.

Advance tickets are available at illinoisbrassband.org or at the door on the day of the performance.

Tickets are $12 or $6 for students and children, age 18 or younger. A special family rate of $30 admits two adults and up to four children under the age of 18, so bring the whole family for an evening of music sure to put the entire family in the holiday spirit.

The Illinois Brass Band is a six-time national champion band, a recognized 501(c)(3) organization, and is supported in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency. For more information, contact Illinoisbrassband.org.

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