Last year, the Jefferson City Community Band gave a nod to Halloween with its concert, “Campfires and S’mores,” delivering some of classical music’s spookiest arrangements.
However, at 2 p.m. Sunday at Calvary Lutheran High School, the band will deliver songs that takes the audience to the Middle Ages during its “Lords and Ancient Kings” concert.
“Due to the time of year and being close to Halloween, we feel like this concert still brings that feel into it,” she said. “We are doing old English folk songs and tunes that harkens back to the day of knights, dragons and fairytales.”
For example, during one arrangement, “English Folk Song Suite,” “Seventeen Come Sunday” leads to “My Bonny Boy” before transitioning to “Folks Songs from Somerset.” Gaelic and Irish jig music also join the diverse set list, with a piccolo soloist featured during the Irish jig.
Allen said the tunes are made for wind symphonies, which defines the Jefferson City Community Symphonic Band.
“When hearing the word symphony, the public often thinks of violins. But as a wind symphony, we don’t have strings, but wind instruments and percussion. It is a different type of classic music,” she said. “We play many of the hallmark pieces to this genre. … There is a whole other area of instrumental music out there and that is why we developed.”
The band formed in 2010 and continued its own development internally.
“Music is a lifelong skill and passion. Unlike, for example, football where your body can’t do it anymore after a certain period of time, music — no matter how old you are — is something you can still enjoy and perform for most of your life,” said Allen who has conducted and directed the group for the last three years alongside assistant conductor Dr. Michael Johnson, director of bands at Lincoln University. “Bob Priddy, who serves as our emcee, presents some history on the pieces and engages the audience, making it a lot of fun for everyone. … You don’t just listen to wonderful pieces of music, but you learn the history behind them.”
This fall concert is one of at least four annual performances for the Jefferson City Community Symphonic Band. Allen said the next is performing at the Mayor’s Tree Lighting in November and their Christmas concert in December at Capital Mall, with a spring concert in March taking the band to their biggest venue yet, the Miller Performing Arts Center.
“I’m like a kid with a brand new toy. We will have a larger audience and show them we are out here, too. There is so many opportunities,” said Allen, noting the band of 40-70 players also performs an annual Memorial Day concert and occasionally part of Salute to America Fourth of July celebration activities, among other concerts that are all free to attend. “We function solely by our donations. We are happy that they are there and supporting what we do.”
Allen said that support allows musicians of all ages to have a place to play and be a part of a group that is a family. She enjoys watching the friendship and relationships develop, despite musical skill level, socioeconomic status and age, develop because of the team they are a part of.
“It goes back to whenever we are in school. Every kid finds a way toward a group we feel we belong to — sports, FFA, choir, art, band. In school, the kids in band learn a lot about teamwork. You get one shot at a performance and do it as a team. … You develop as a team and that family mentality,” Allen said. “Some don’t major in music and don’t perform, losing that group that you grew so close to in school. … We continue that family and support, fun and joy. it is sheer joy to sit down and make music with someone. They have a ball and it’s like having a big family reunion, with more and more folks coming in and saying, ‘I missed this so much.’ … It is a big family, we all enjoy being together and supporting each other.”
Allen said the band is open to anyone who would like to perform, no matter the instrument, as long as they can read music. “I take it to heart that anyone and everyone can be a musician and our doors are open if they want to play with us,” she added.
For more information or to inquire about joining or donating to Jefferson City Community Symphonic Band, visit the band’s Facebook page, @jccommunitysymphonicband.