You’ve likely heard of - or been to a performance at - the Sheldon Theater in Red Wing, but did you know that it is home to a resident performing ensemble called The Sheldon Theater Brass Band? The River Valley Band will be bringing them to Hastings for a FREE concert on Sunday March 3rd at 1 p.m. at the Hasting Middle School Auditorium.
So - just what is a Brass Band? Is that different than a concert band? According to RVB Board Member Dan Retka, “They use the instrumentation of the traditional British brass bands which are comprised totally of brass instruments such as cornets, flugelhorns, tenor horns, baritones, euphoniums and tubas – and some necessary percussion too. That’s right – no reed instruments at all. Brass bands generate a wonderful rich sound quite different from concert bands with which we’re familiar. And the Sheldon Band is staffed by some of the best brass players in this area.”
The Sheldon Theater Brass Band was founded in 1989 and has performed throughout Minnesota and Western Wisconsin and at BB national competitions and BB festivals. Directed by Jim Kurschner, it is a world class emsemble of 32 talented musicians whose players come from all over the Twin Cities, Western Wisconsin and Southeast Minnesota. Their muliple CD recordings are testiments to their high level of musiciaship.
Retka says the River Valley Band, led by Director Tom Maeck, is enjoying another successful season of fulfilling its mission of bringing high quality concert band programs to Hastings audiences. The Band will perform its third concert of this season, a program of “eclectic” music from ragtime to a classical polka and fugue and will then turn the stage over to the Sheldon Theater Brass Band for their sure-to-please portion of the program. This will be wonderful FREE concert which you won’t want to miss, so place this on your calendar now – Sunday, March 3 at 1 p.m. at the Hastings Middle School Auditorium.
A free will offering will be taken in support of the Band at the concert. Continuing its tradition of fostering neighborliness, the Band will also collect food donations from the audience for Hastings Family Service.
