Band Blast at Jessieville a rousing success

The Hot Springs Concert Band under the baton of Dr. Craig Hamilton.

Trumpeters in the Village Big Band warm up prior to the performance.

Trombone player Donna Morton performs with both the Hot Springs Concert Band and the Village Big Band.

Yesterday afternoon the Hot Springs Concert Band, the Village Big Band and the Dixielanders preformed at the Jessieville sports arena for free. The concert was a delight. Every tune was warm and funny. The pieces were selected by HSCB conductor Craig Hamilton, Ph.D. on cold wintry day designed to keep audiences all toasty. Balmy temperatures outside with the threat of rain served just as well as a cold and blustery day for the impetus to come inside and be entertained.

The HSCB performed nine numbers. The Village Big Band performed three numbers and the Dixielanders performed three numbers. The Dixielanders were the only group to deviate from the printed program. They were slated to play Royal Garden Blues and Indiana and opted to play Beale Street Blues and When the Saints Go Marching In instead. When the Saints Go Marching In was the first number the audience loosened up and joined in clapping.

Jessieville music teacher Lydia deSambourg sang an upbeat version of They Can't Take That Away From Me with the Village Big Band. The tune bopped along with deSambourg's lilting voice. Everyone had a bit of a smile on their faces enjoying her singing.

The main event, the HSCB tunes were all well-performed. No glitches. Plenty of good music. My favorites were the Star Spangled Banner, Southwest Summer, I could hear the rattlesnakes and coyotes, and Great Movie Marches. Every piece was well-executed and Hamilton's running commentary between numbers is always funny and informative.

The concert was underwritten by Community First Trust Company for the 11th year in a row.

The HSCB will perform in the Village at the Woodlands April 17 and 18 with an ice cream social sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Greater Hot Springs Village.