Rowan Big Band coming to Stanly for holiday concert

Published 9:56 am Tuesday, November 26, 2019

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Stanly County citizens should be prepared for a blast from the past for the holiday season.

The Rowan Big Band All-Stars will perform a Christmas concert at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 7.

The concert is part of the Stanly County Concert Association. This is the second year the group will perform a Christmas concert in the county.

The RBBA is an 18-piece community big band reminiscent of the 1930s style of Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Duke Ellington and other bandleaders.

Big Band is a type of musical ensemble of jazz music that consists of musicians in four sections — saxophones, trumpets, trombones and a rhythm section. The music originated in the early 1900s and reached its peak popularity during the 1940s, when swing music was at its most popular.

“People love the big band sound and it is always delightful and well received for our audiences,” SCCA President Charlotte Maness said.

For the concert, RBBA will perform instrumental holiday classics such as “Jingle Bells,” “White Christmas,” “Silent Night” and “Auld Lang Syne.”

The band, which was founded in 2000 by Dr. Ron Turbyfill, performs for events, parties and concerts, often to assist in funding for local charitable causes.

Albemarle resident Tim Hedrick will play baritone saxophone for the concert. He’s been in the band for around eight years.

“I just enjoy being a part of it and getting to play and have a good time,” the former Albemarle High band director said. 

Hedrick said a portion of the proceeds will go to high school bands in the county. 

The concert will last around an hour and a half with an intermission. 

Tickets, which cost $20 for adults and $10 for students, are available in advance at the Agri-Civic Center or at Starnes Jewelers.

 

About Chris Miller

Chris Miller has been with the SNAP since January 2019. He is a graduate of NC State and received his Master's in Journalism from the University of Maryland. He previously wrote for the Capital News Service in Annapolis, where many of his stories on immigration and culture were published in national papers via the AP wire.

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