By Colin O’Connell
Staff Writer

The reminder of winter is all around. Lights are up. Christmas music has overtaken half of the radio stations in the area, and holiday classics have filled the TV screen, including my personal favorite, “Die Hard.”

Still, for those who have not quite embraced the winter spirit, ESU’s Community Concert Band is looking to change that with their annual winter concert.

The concert, set to be held Dec. 11 at 4 p.m., will take place in the Cecilia S. Cohen Recital Hall at ESU’s Fine and Performing Arts Center.

Pieces included in the concert include: “Flourish of the Wind Band” by Ralph Vaughn Williams, “Silverbrook” by Michael Sweeney, “Them Basses” by G.F. Huffine, “God of Our Fathers” by Claude T. Smith, “A Fireside Christmas” by Sammy Nestico and “Sleigh Ride” by Leroy Anderson, as well as a number of other well-known Christmas compositions.

Vincent LoRusso, adjunct instructor of theatre, is directing this year’s concert.

“My first semester working with the Concert Band has been a great experience,” LoRusso said. “The students and community members are very responsive, talented and hardworking.”

The band will look for all of that hard-work to pay off during this year’s concert; the first one directed by LoRusso.

“The idea of creating something uniquely yours has always been my favorite part of the music-making process,” LoRusso said. “We have found a way to make each of the concert selections distinctive to our ensemble.”

LoRusso continued to note how exciting the process has been for him and called the final product, “very rewarding.”

The program’s title is “Winter Flourishes,” which LoRusso calls, “a nod to the upcoming season as well as an introduction to this year’s concert band to the community.”

For more information on this year’s concert, email esuarts@esu.edu or call the fine arts and performing arts event line at 570-422-3483.

Email Colin at:
coconnel11@live.esu.edu