Southeast Community band concert Monday

Published 11:19 pm Friday, April 30, 2010

The Southeast Alabama Community Band, under the direction of Dr. Johnny Long, will present its 10th annual Troy concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday, May 3 at the Claudia Crosby Theater on the campus of Troy University.

The concert is sponsored by the Troy Arts Council and is the council’s last presentation of the 2009-2010 season.

The Southeast Alabama Community Band is composed of 53 players, who come from Troy, Montgomery, Dothan, Elba, Enterprise, Tallassee, Wetumpka, Eclectic, Daleville, Monroeville and Carrolton, Ga.

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“Most of us have been playing for a long time,” Long said. “Some of us have been with the band since it began, but we have a few younger players and they’re good. Some of the musicians drive a long way every week to practice, so that let’s you know how much they enjoy playing.”

Southeast Alabama Community Band includes members of college faculties, retired military, high school band directors and other professional musicians.

Music for Monday’s concert includes Rossini’s “Overture to William Tell,” “Eternal Father,” and “Strong to Save,” which was written especially for the United States Navy Band, Long said.

James Smith, associate conductor, will conduct selections from “The Sound of Music.”

“The band always plays the great Sousa marches and will conclude the program with Ralph Ford’s jazz masterpiece, ‘Down Memory Lane,’” Long said. “This selection features Ray Smith on saxophone and Eric Ward on vibraphone. Both musicians are outstanding jazz performers. This selection will also feature our Patriots Quartet, which includes Tim Sims, Doc Kirby, Peter Howard and Donnie Darby.”

The Southeast Alabama Community Band plays concerts throughout Alabama and especially enjoys playing in Troy, Long said.

“We look forward to playing concerts all around the area and we enjoy practicing, too. We just like to play, especially when we all get together,” he said. “We invite everyone to come out Monday night and enjoy the music we have planned.

“The program will last about an hour and it’s free. We know that we’ll have a good time playing and think the audience will enjoy the music.”