‘Sweet Sounds of Summer’ in Huntsville Wednesday

The Huntsville Community Band and the Kingfishers Cottage Band performed a combined concert Wednesday night at the Summit Centre in Huntsville.

HUNTSVILLE — ‘The Sweet Sounds of Summer’ floated down the river here tonight., as the Huntsville Community Band and the King Fisher Cottage Band presented a combined concert in the Active Living Centre at the Summit Centre.

Clarinetist Carol Anne Robinson, centre, and the combined band play Ashokan Farewell Wednesday.

Each band of adult musicians performed five pieces under the respective batons of Sarah Lovering-Stollard and Kim Barlow Wednesday, June 27.

The 20-member Huntsville band took the stage in front of the fireplace first.

And they had the audience of 60-some on their feet right away for  O Canada.

Then is was a trip down east for the Newfoundland Folk Song. Then it was marching to 76 Trombones, followed by a playful Pink Panther medley, a cool Basin Street Blues and finally the rush of James Bond Returns, another medley, of Bond songs.

Then the 22 Kingfishers came up for their turn. The started with a TV tribute to Hogan’s Heroes. Then it was Deep River, followed by a a classical suite that included short pieces by Bach, Beethoven, Schuman and Mouret. Their final two offering were Glengarry Brae, a nod to Scotland. Lastly, a fiery Zorro’s Theme.

In the right channel the audience could hear the saxes and French horn player Karen Richards, right.

Then the 42 musicians united to play four charts, with each conductor alternating in two turns at the podium (and sitting in with the band, Barlow on flute and Lovering-Stollard on clarinet) for Catalina March, Ashokan Farewell, Calypso Collage and Meet the Beatles.

No wonder the audience stayed right through two intermissions at the free-will concert. (Some lovely munchies after couldn’t have hurt that.)

This was the wrap-up night for the Kingfishers this season.

The Huntsville Community Band has three more dates the next couple of weeks; at the Huntsville Place Mall Saturday, Roger’s Cove Canada Day; and July 10 downtown.

New players are always welcome to join either band. Contact the conductors over the summer.

Or ask any concert band musician you see playing this summer how to get involved.