Special Guest pianist to perform with the Hill Country Community Band
The Hill Contry Community Band will present a very special free concert, highlighting the beloved composition, “Rhapsody in Blue,” on Saturday, October 26, at 4:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Wimberley. George Gershwin’s experimental work, which blends jazz rythms with classical music, was first performed in New York City in 1924.
Band member, Candy Bowman said, “The Hill Country Community Band is honored to have Faith DeBow of Texas State University as our piano soloist for this performance.” According to the concert’s program notes, DeBow joined the Texas State University faculty in 2001. She has performed in over a dozen U.S. states and eight countries, and has played solo concerts at the National Conservatory of Panama and for the U.S. Ambassador to Panama. She is sought after for both solo and collaborative performances, as well as choral accompaniment and teaching. DeBow’s playing has been heard in outer space at the International Space Station, performing Christmas music on video for astronauts working there during the holiday season. She maintains a long-standing collaboration with the Grammy-winning choral ensemble, Conspirare, and has toured the U.S., France, and Copenhagen with them. She teaches class piano and collaborative piano as a Senior Lecturer at Texas State University, and accompanies instrumental students at Trinity University. She is the pianist for the boys’ choir at the historic San Antonio Academy, and often plays orchestral keyboard with the Austin Symphony Orchestra.
With a mixture of gladness and sadness, Bowman added, “Our clarinet soloist is our own talented and longtime member and section leader, Johnny Torres, who will be greatly missed when he moves soon!”
The other selections in the concert’s eclectic lineup are “E Pluribus Unum March” by Fred Jewell, a Spanish march, “Pepita Grues,” by Pascual Perez Chovi, the timeless piece, “Clarinet Candy,” by Leroy Anderson, the concert-rock composition, “See Rock City,” by Brant Karrick, and the Scotch-Irish folk influenced “Appalachian Morning” by Robert Sheldon.
Besides the great music on offer, raffle tickets will be available at the concert for a one week stay in a 3 bedroom condo in Angel Fire, New Mexico, from June 6 to June 13. The drawing will take place on February 22, 2020.
The First Baptist Church of Wimberley is located at 15951 Winters Mill Parkway. For more information about joining the Hill Country Community Band or donating time or money, Visit the HCCB website at www.hillcountrycommunityband.org and follow on Facebook for current band news and future concert dates.