The Hill Country Community Band Explores the Universe through Music

by Oda Lisa, published in The Wimberley View 11/11/21

The Hill Country Community Band will present their free Fall concert on Saturday, November 20, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Wimberley. The concert’s theme is “Earth, Sky, and Space”. Speaking on behalf of the group of musical volunteers, Pat Ricks is the current HCCB President as well as a flautist in the band.

She said, “My duties as president of the HCCB board include presiding at board meetings, keeping the band updated on activities, or volunteer requests, either at rehearsals or by email, and contacting prospective new members,  and helping to schedule concerts and venues. Actually, the other members of the board are so helpful and proactive, I mostly just agree with their suggestions! Other members of the band do all the legwork on developing the concert posters and programs. I am very lucky or blessed that things generally run so smoothly that I don’t have to do much hands-on organization.”

Ricks continued, “Our November 20 concert includes a variety of music related to Earth, sky and space. There are two pretty challenging pieces- Holst’s ‘Jupiter’ from The Planets and ‘Looking Upward Suite’ by Sousa. The program also includes an interesting piece called ‘Earthdance’ which begins with sound effects representing a thunderstorm and rainfall! We were also lucky to find the Sousa march that is presently used as the US Space Force’s theme.”

Explaining why “Jupiter” and the Sousa suite are challenging, she said, “Both push the abilities of all sections of the band. The woodwinds are faced with very technical passages in both pieces and the brass section is tasked with wide ranges in addition to demanding technical passages. I am very proud of how the band has risen to these challenges!”

For more information about playing and volunteering with the Hill Country Community Band or making a monetary donation, visit the HCCB website at www.hillcountrycommunityband.org and follow on Facebook for current band news and future concert dates.