ALAMOSA — The San Luis Valley Community Band under the direction of Dr. Kerry Hart, gave a stunning Christmas/Holiday concert at Richardson Hall on the campus of Adams State University on Saturday, December 21.

The concert included such favorites as “Let it Snow! Let it Snow!, Let it Snow!,” and “Jesu, Joy of Mans Desiring.”

Baritone Erich Schwiesow sang a spectacular solo of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch," from Dr. Seuss' favorite, "How the Grinch Stole Christmas.”

Kerry Hart and Curtis West performed an extraordinary arrangement of the Bach “Prelude from the Cello Suite #1 in G,” on two Baritone Saxophones. This was followed by a Tuba Quartet performing several holiday tunes, including "O Come, O Come Immanuel," and others. The quartet's members are Robert Frazer, Taylor McKee, Erich Schwiesow, and Curtis West. 

After the concert, Hart told the Valley Courier, "The concert went extremely well. Musically, each band member gave everything asked of them and more. Indeed, overall, the SLV Community Band met the highest musical standards -- and the musicality of the band was enhanced by the outstanding acoustics of Richardson Hall. There were numerous excellent comments from audience members, and I concur. The SLV Community Band is continuing a tradition of excellence because of the outstanding musicianship of each band member."

The band is ready and eager to perform in the New Year. The lineup (so far) for the SLV Community Band in 2025 is:  A combined concert with Centauri High School and ASU is tentatively scheduled for Monday, March 10, 7:00 p.m. at Richardson Hall. The band will also do its annual spring concert in May (exact date to be determined) -- and this concert will feature ASU's Professor of Music, Dr. James Lind, performing a solo with the SLV Community. The band will, if asked by the Kiwanis Club of Alamosa, as in years past, provide patriotic music for the annual July 4 pancake breakfast, said Hart.

The SLV Community Band has been part of the musical fabric of the Valley since the founding of the City of Alamosa in 1878.

The band rehearses weekly on Thursday evenings at Ortega Middle School in Alamosa and performs numerous concerts throughout the year. Anyone interested in joining the band can contact Dr. Kerry Hart at 719-587-3342.

Donations to the SLV Community Band can be made to the following address: SLV Community Band C/O Dr. Kerry Hart, Director P.O. Box 1562, Alamosa, CO 81101.