Centennial features alumni band concert

Dr. Adam Lambert, CSC director of bands, said more than 120 people will gather to play in the one and only concert of the specially created CSC Centennial Alumni Band. The group consisting of alumni, the Chadron Community Symphonic Band and the CSC Wind Symphony will deliver a free performance at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, in the Nelson Physical Activity Center. The event will follow a public reception at 7 p.m. at the NPAC.

As a tribute to the special occasion, the band will play songs from the turn of the 20^th Century, the time of the college’s creation. Lambert said almost all of the concert’s music will be familiar to the concert-goers. Three pieces by John Philip Sousa -- “Stars and Stripes,” “The Thunderer March” and “Washington Post” -- are on the list, as well as “Blue Danube” by Johann Strauss.

Lambert said he has enjoyed the process of forming the group, which will meet in its entirety for the first time Saturday with its live rehearsal just 1½ hours before the concert. Lambert has been communicating with the group via email, providing downloadable music for them to practice in advance.

Invitations from the Alumni Office attracted past CSC musicians from as far away as Salt Lake City, Utah, and Denton, Texas, plan to play in the concert. Retired Chadron State College music faculty members Bill and Carola Winkle will be involved, as well as Durell Thompson, a former music teacher at Chadron High School.

“It’s been a good experience,” Lambert said. “It’s given me the opportunity to talk to people I haven’t heard from in a while and reconnect with Bill and Carola.”

Concert-goers are invited to stay on campus to watch the fireworks following the music.