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Central Pa Community Band to celebrate its 10th anniversary with free concert

PHOTO PROVIDED The Central PA Community Band will perform in the Central Mountain Middle School Auditorium at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 18.

LOCK HAVEN — On Monday, November 18 the Central Pa Community Band will present to the public its 10th Anniversary Concert at 7:30 PM in the Central Mountain Middle School auditorium. Director Paul Kellerman, who founded the band in 2009, has taken a small group of less than 15 that had its first public performance at the Mill Hall Christmas parade in 2009 to a band that has grown to over 50 members and performs several times a year in Central Pennsylvania.

Under the direction of Paul Kellerman, assisted by Ms. Ashley Crust the band has players from Clinton, Lycoming and Centre Counties who range from 15 years to 85 years old and who make the weekly trek to Mill Hall to rehearse on Monday evenings. For many members the weekly rehearsals are the highlight of their week giving them an opportunity to hone their musical skills and socialize with other musicians. New players are always welcome. After a December recess, rehearsals will resume in January on Monday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at Central Mountain Middle School,

The band has a very busy schedule. A typical year for the band has them playing a Spring concert in May, a combined performance with the Central Mountain High School concert band also in May, two performances at the Clinton County Fair, a Friday night gig at Lock Haven’s Triangle Park, a September date at the Antes Fort Historical Days, and a November Concert featuring patriotic and seasonal music.

Over the past several years, at the Spring and Fall concerts a collection of canned and boxes food items has helped out local food banks with several hundred pounds of items donated by concert goers. Again this fall the band will be collecting canned goods. Attendees at the November 18th concert are encouraged to bring non-expired canned or boxed food items.

Featured at the upcoming concert on Monday, November 18 will be songs celebrating the holiday season. Edward Kremser’s ” A Hymn of Thanksgiving”, “Three Ships” by David R. Gilligham, “We Three Kings” set by Ayatey Shabazz, “Sparkling Lights, a Fanfare on O Christmas Tree” by Matt Conaway, and Handel’s ever popular “Hallelujah Chorus”.

PHOTO PROVIDED Members of present day Central PA Community Band during a previous performance.

To honor veterans and celebrate our country the band will also perform “The Armed Forces Service Medley” by Sandidge and Buckley, present and former service members will be asked to stand and be recognized when their branch’s song is played. Other patriotic songs that will be performed will include, Eternal Father, Strong to Save” (United States Navy Hymn), from the Motion Picture the Patriot “The Patriot” by John Williams, “Songs of the Great War, The Music of World War I” by Glover, Sousa’s “The Washington Post March” and Esprit Du Corps March , and “American Visions” by Travis Weller.

Following Monday’s concert there will be a reception with cake and other snacks to celebrate the band’s anniversary. The Public is invited to stay to get to know the band members and help in the celebration.

PHOTO PROVIDED A picture from one of the group’s first performances 10 years ago gives a peak into just how much has changed in a decade.

Wayne McCollough and Christina Frank play together during a previous performance.

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