Letter: SLV Community Band a treat for the whole San Lorenzo Valley

EDITOR,
 
Last Sunday night, June 23, the SLV Community Band gave a wonderful hour a half concert, open to all, at the Boulder Creek Library to a group of about 60 of us. There were 35 seasoned and very experienced musicians in this all-volunteer organization led by Jon Christian. They all greatly enjoyed what they were doing, creating great music together. We few in the audience were pleasantly impressed with their talents and the expertness of more than 10 solos during the evening coming from every section of the band. At the end of the evening we all gave them a standing ovation, with much clapping. The top quality we all heard was a surprise to many of us. And it was all for free.
Some of the music was quite difficult. Half of it I had not heard before. I’m a Souza man! It started with the only Sousa piece, “Liberty Bell March.” Then everything got even better after that, with Henry Mancini’s “Baby Elephant Walk.” Now came the older (1700s and 1800s) more difficult numbers: “Culloden” by Giroux and “Concertino” by Chaminade with a beautiful and enchanting flute solo. Then came a 1911 military band number based on English folk songs. “Triad” by Richards featured the trumpets. The came George Gershwin’s “Porgy and Bess,” what fun! To end with, “The Chimes of Liberty March” by Goldman featured the band’s new set of orchestra chimes.
There were lots of empty seats. The next time you hear that this fine band will play in SLV, don’t miss it! This concert band is a hidden jewel right here in SLV and the main objective of this group is to encourage and support instrumental music in the SLV schools. If you also wish to help out, send them a donation.
 Lt. Commander Wm. Burton, U.S. Navy band organizer, trainer and leader, 1943 to 1947 and long-time orchestra musician, Ben Lomond