Community Band presents second Fall Spectacular concert

The Flathead Valley Community Band presents the second concert in its “Fall Band Spectacular” at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday Nov. 9, in the Whitefish Performing Arts Center (127 Spokane Ave., Whitefish). The band is under the direction of Allen Slater and Matt King.

The concert will open with “Prelude to a Concert,” an original piece written by Don Lawrence, director Emeritus of the community band, who wrote the piece specifically for them. Lawrence has been a music icon in the valley — as Columbia Falls High School’s music director, founder of the Don Lawrence Jazz orchestra, establishing Brasswerks brass sextet, as well as other music ensembles. This energetic piece sets the mood for the entire concert.

The band will also feature the original work “High Line Express” by local composer Craig Naylor, the five-movement work “Of Sailors and Whales,” “American Big Top” by Brian Balmages that can best be described as an American circus march that meets Charles Ives, and “Four Shaker Songs,” comprised of a sensuous nature song, a lively dance tune, a tender lullaby, and the popular Shaker melody “Simple Gifts” by composer Frank Tichel.

The concert also includes traditional American marches and the John Philip Sousa classic “Fairest of the Fair.”

There is no admittance charge, but there will be a free will donation to help cover the cost of the concert. A reception will follow in the commons area.