BETHEL — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. The Mahoosuc Community Band has been practicing Christmas music since September. The Christmas Concert is Sunday, December 8, at 4 p.m. at Gould Academy Bingham Auditorium. The snow date is Monday, December 9 at 7 p.m.

Mahoosuc Community Band has joined with Gould Academy music students and will be under the direction of Ed Ryan. The exciting part of this change in venue and conductors is the inter-generational sharing of music between adults and Gould students.

The concert is filled with traditional favorites and newer melodies. The concert includes “Waltz of the Flowers” from “The Nutcracker Suite” by Peter Tchaikovsky, “The Chipmunk Song” by Ross Bagdasarian, “Amazing Grace” arranged by Jay Dawson, “Blue Christmas” by Billy Hayes and Jay Johnson, “Hanukkah Highlights” arranged by Chris Sharp, “A Most Wonderful Christmas” arranged by Robert Sheldon, “Christmas Fanfares” by Todd Stalter, “All I Want for Christmas is You” by Mariah Carey arranged by Larry Kerchner, and “Selections from the Polar Express” by Glen Ballard and Alan Silvestri arranged by Paul Murtha. The Mahoosuc Community Band’s concert wouldn’t be complete without Sleigh Ride by Leroy Anderson.

The community band rehearses Monday nights at the Gould Academy music room in Bethel from 6:45 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The band resumes rehearsals on January 6, 2025. New members are always welcome. The opportunity to enjoy music lasts through the years. Many members played in high school and stopped. The group encourages less experienced musicians to share the love of music.

For more information, contact Scott Hynek, band president, at [email protected]