The River Valley Concert Band’s 2024–2025 season came to a close with an impressive showcase of musical versatility and community spirit. In four well-attended concerts at the Hastings Middle School Auditorium, the ensemble navigated everything from classic concert band repertoire to contemporary Pop tunes, earning enthusiastic audience approval each time. Under Music Director Tom Maeck’s baton, the Band’s sound grew richer and more cohesive, demonstrating significant strides in precision and expressive depth.
Highlights of the season included a stirring Veteran’s Day tribute featuring a variety of patriotic selections as well as participation by our local veterans organizations, then a festive Christmas concert blending traditional carols with jazzy arrangements including a great collaboration with the Hastings Middle School singers. In March, the Minnesota State Band brought their talented musicians to share the program with the River Valley Band. At our April Pops Concert, alto sax soloist Conrad Miska captivated the audience with his rendition of Duke Ellington’s “Come Sunday”, while the Band contributed adventurous Pops hits from the Beatles and Chicago which brought younger listeners into the fold. This concert also featured a program by Hasting’s newly formed River Valley Chamber Orchestra. This group of 35 string and wind players, which formed in January 2025, demonstrated that it will surely fulfill its objective of bringing ambitious chamber music to Hastings. Community partnerships are a mainstay for each of the Band’s concerts as they include a food collection opportunity benefiting local food shelves. This underscores the Band’s commitment to both artistic excellence and civic engagement.
The River Valley Band extends its heartfelt gratitude to every audience member, volunteer, and sponsor who turned out in support. Your applause, encouragement, and generous contributions not only filled our seats but also fueled our passion for presenting concert band music to our local audiences. We begin rehearsals for our next season just after Labor Day and invite new players to join us on Tuesday September 9th at 6:30 and weekly thereafter at the Hastings Middle School band room. We look forward to another season of harmony, growth, and shared joy and we’ll see you at November’s Veterans Day concert on Sunday November 9th.