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VGCC Community Band concert includes holiday favorites and a few surprises

The Vance-Granville Community Band presented its third annual Holiday Concert on Monday, Dec. 13 in the Civic Center on the college’s main campus in Vance County. VGCC music instructor Michael Stephenson serves as director of the band.

The program included many favorite holiday selections, including several Christmas medleys, “Toboggan Ride” by Stan Applebaum, and arrangements of “Greensleeves” and “Panis Angelicus.” In addition, there were several appearances by special guests. First, the Silent Monk Chorus, whom Stephenson humorously introduced as being from a remote monastery in Warren County, presented their unique rendition of the “Hallelujah Chorus” by G.F. Handel (a piece also played by the Community Band later in the program). In keeping with their vows of silence, the so-called monks had to make their “joyful noise” through the use of printed cards, much to the amusement of the audience.

The concert also marked the first public performance for this year’s “Vanguard Combo,” which consists of VGCC students who have received the college’s Music Performance Scholarships for 2010-2011: Joseph Colquitt of Creedmoor; Joseph Hedgepeth and Derek Jones, both of Henderson; and John Laible of Raleigh. Accompanying the quartet were Vance County Early College High School student Eriekca Crosby on vocals and Southern Vance High School student Andre Crudup on drums. The Combo performed “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire),” “Greensleeves” (with Stephenson on saxophone) and “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” As an additional surprise performance for the evening, Laible also played a solo piano piece that he composed himself.

Stephenson thanked the band members, who come from all four counties of the college service area (Vance, Granville, Warren and Franklin) and beyond, and he recognized Fina Savelli-Lynn, who plays French horn in the band, for designing the band’s new green shirts, which they wore for the first time. Formed in 2008, the community band is a combination of VGCC students and interested citizens, including some high school students. For more information, call Michael Stephenson at (252) 738-3346.

 

Above: With the Vance-Granville Community Band on stage behind them, the “Vanguard Combo” of, from left, Joseph Hedgepeth (saxophone), Eriekca Crosby (vocals), Joseph Colquitt (guitar), Derek Jones (bass), John Laible (keyboard) and Andre Crudup (drums) perform during the holiday concert on Dec. 13, 2010. (VGCC photo)