Christmas concert Sunday

Belle Valley Community Band to perform at ICHS

 

Editor’s note: The following article was submitted by Art Smith, Euphonium/President Belle Valley Community Band. The local musicians will be performing this Sunday at the Performing Arts Center at Imlay City High School.

IMLAY CITY — Not even a chilly band room could keep Ruby Nothelle, the Belle Valley Community Band’s principle tuba player, from participating at a rehearsal December 2.

Cold winter weather outside and a finicky furnace inside led to a cooler than normal band room at Imlay City High School where the BVCB rehearsals are held.

But as they say “The show must go on” and rehearsal time is precious as the band puts the finishing touches on the music scheduled to be performed at its upcoming Christmas Concert.

The annual holiday concert is slated for Sunday, December 14, 2025 beginning at 3:00 p.m. at the Performing Arts Center at Imlay City High School.

‘Fanfare for Christmas’ leads the musical selections.

A bright and brassy celebration featuring the BVCB trumpet section sets the tone for what’s to follow. Alfred Reed’s ‘Russian Christmas Music’ evokes the mysticism of the Eastern Orthodox holiday traditions with its solemn chant-like melodies.

Claude T. Smith’s symphonic rendition entitled ‘Adeste Fidelis’, is a powerful re-imagining of the classic Christmas carol ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ and adds to the festive nature of the afternoon.

Loveable musical themes from ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas’ arranged by Carl Strommen and traditional British sounds of the season within ‘The Holly and The Ivy’ arranged by Tom Wallace add to the joyous holiday feeling.

Solemn reflections are driven in ‘Salvation is Created’ by Russian composer Pavel Tschesnokoff and a non-traditional arrangement of ‘Stille Nacht’ (Silent Night) by Frans Gruber bring reverence to the afternoon performance

Dimitri Shostakovich’s ‘Festive Overture’ provides a challenging endeavor for the musicians of the Belle Valley Community Band with its brilliant energy, up-beat tempo and festive exuberance.

A community sing-a-long of Irving Berlin’s ‘White Christmas’ closes out the performance sending the audience home with the comforting glow of the holiday season.

Please join in celebrating the holiday season on Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.

The concert will be held in the beautiful Imlay City High School Performing Arts Center.

As always, admission is free with goodwill donations graciously accepted to help defray performance costs occurred by the band.

From all of us, to all of you – the Belle Valley Community Band wishes you the warmest greetings for a Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year ahead.