Hi all! It’s that time of year again — we are asking for your help in ensuring the band can cover our annual payment to Arlington Community Learning, which in turn keeps our individual dues/enrollment fees low every fall.

From Diana: “In the spirit of community, we ask that all members of the band donate something – whether it is $5 or $500. Any amount is appreciated so please give whatever feels right to you. Donations are tax deductible. If you would like to, we also encourage you to reach out to friends and family who may be interested in supporting a local arts organization (that’s us).”

You can donate via PayPal (no account required, just a debit or credit card) here or give cash or a check (made out to Arlington Concert Band Association) to Mel at rehearsal.

Thanks so much for your support!

As always, big thanks to our own Sebastian Dunne for coordinating and sharing this recording. (The full recording of our 2021 Winter Concert is available as well.)

The Arlington Concert Band will hold its spring concert this Thursday, April 7, at 7:30 pm at Washington-Liberty High School.

The program includes the following works:

The Windjammer Overture – John Ansell

Victory at Sea – Richard Rodgers arr. Robert Russell Bennett

Who’s Who in Navy Blue – John Philip Sousa

Seas of the Moon: III. Sea of Clouds – Robert Buckley

Water Music: Overture, Alla Hornpipe – George Frideric Handel arr. Robert Longfield

Sea Songs – Ralph Vaughan Williams

Pirates of the Caribbean – arr. Meehan Smothers

As always, admission is free. Hope to see you there!

Rehearsal will be at Wakefield High School on Tuesday, March 15.

Hi all – Jim forgot to mention at rehearsal last night that we will be meeting at Wakefield High School next week. Our usual space at W-L will be unavailable due to a choral concert.

Hi all! Just a quick reminder that we have rehearsal as usual tomorrow (Tuesday, 2/1, Washington-Liberty High School, 7-9 pm).

Covid numbers are falling in our area. Here’s the most recent 90-day report on daily case counts in Arlington County from the Virginia Department of Health:

If you missed Mel’s email, here’s the agenda for tomorrow night’s rehearsal, with some areas we’ll focus on:

Sea Songs: foreground vs. background parts and knowing your role.
Sea of Clouds: Beginning tempo (quarter note = 52). For music this slow, we will explore direction and connection of phrases.
Pirates: Learning what comes BEFORE your entrance and using this knowledge to fix balance issues.
Windjammer: Practice maintaining energy through the first section so we don’t slow on repeated rhythms throughout.
Victory at Sea: Transitions, transitions, and more transitions! All of the transitions.
Who’s Who in Navy Blue: A march to send you on your way.

Assistant conductor Brian made a Spotify playlist with some of our repertoire, which you can find here.

If you’re an Apple Music user, find a very similar playlist here.

Hope to see you at W-L tomorrow night!

Don’t forget rehearsals resume Tuesday, January 4. Masks are still required.

Check out the first piece from our return to the stage!

Reminder: our Winter Concert is TONIGHT, Thursday, December 2, at 7:30 pm in the Washington-Liberty High School auditorium.

Please be at W-L warmed up and ready to play by 7:10. The band room will be available for warm-up and storing cases/coats/etc. starting at 6:30. In addition to our standard concert dress, Jim asks that everybody please wear a black mask if possible.

It’s not too late to invite friends, family, and coworkers! Admission is free.

Reminder: our Winter Concert is next Thursday, December 2, at 7:30 pm in the Washington-Liberty High School auditorium.

Call time for band members is no later than 7:10 in the band room. The band room will be open from 6:30 onward to allow sufficient time for warming up.

Concert dress is all black for women (pants or a long skirt/dress, please) and a black tuxedo or suit for men with “the darkest tie you own”.

Bring your friends, bring your family, bring your coworkers!