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Band of the West Spreads Joy to the World

  • Published
  • By SrA Lenora French
  • 37TRW/MD
San Antonio, Texas --  2008's Holiday in Blue was an outstanding success.  The USAF Band of the West gave three performances at the Laurie Auditorium at Trinity University in San Antonio of their annual Holiday in Blue concert.  This year's theme was "Joy to the World", with musical selections from many different countries and cultures.  

The emcee for this year's Holiday in Blue was local news anchor Randy Beamer.  Mr. Beamer is the Emmy Award-winning weekday co-anchor and a photojournalist for News 4, WOAI. Mr. Beamer has shot and reported news from all over the country and around the world, focusing on stories, both involving and important to South Texans.  For several years, the Texas Associated Press Broadcasters have recognized him as one of the top anchors in Texas. He's won two Emmy Awards, an Edward R. Murrow Award, along with many others over the years for reporting, anchoring, photography and commentary.  This was one of his many appearances with the Band of the West, and he delighted the performers and audiences alike.

The concert began with movements from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Ballet.  Joining the Band of the West onstage were members of the Alamo City Dance Company.  The Alamo City Dance Company was founded in 1991 by Nancy R. Grossenbacher and Scott Conway and is in residence at the San Antonio School for the Performing Arts. Under the artistic direction of Scott Conway, the Alamo City Dance Company performs ballet classics, contemporary jazz works, and modern expressionism and even explores the realm of tap and ethnic dance.  Audiences at Holiday in Blue enjoyed the flawless dancing of members of the company.

Following the Nutcracker, the band performed renditions of Pie Jesu, sung by MSgt Sarah Deluzio and SSgt Mary Beth McFann, and the Ukrainian Folk Carol, also known as Carol of the Bells.  Mr. Beamer then narrated a somber story set to music entitled "A Military Christmas", which tells of a soldier away from home at Christmastime, fighting for freedom.  Midway through the first half of the concert, Santa Claus made a surprise appearance, and passed out candy canes to children in the audience.  The Band of the West then continued it's musical trip around with world with carols from Spain, England and Ireland.

The Dimensions in Blue Jazz Ensemble started off the second half of the show with a rousing arrangement of "Good King Wenceslas and His Merry Men".  SSgt Mary Beth McFann came back to sing "Christmas Time Is Here" and "Let it Snow".  Dimensions in Blue also gave a audience pleasing performance of "You're a Mean One, Mr. Grinch", featuring MSgt Don Marchand and TSgt John Pranter on trombone and bass trombone.  

The concert concluded with renditions of "The Secret of Christmas", sung by SSgt McFann, "O, Holy Night", sung by MSgt Deluzio and an up-beat disco version of "Joy to the World" which brought all of the singers back on stage for the rousing finale.