WMVO Good Times Great Oldies
Following an almost two year absence, caused by the pandemic, The Heisey Wind Ensemble will return to the stage for their annual “Christmas at the Reese Center” on Saturday, December 11, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, December 12, at 3:00 p.m. The concert will be held at the John W. Alford Performing Arts Hall in the John Gilbert Reese Center on the campus of The Ohio State University at Newark and Central Ohio Technical College. All attending the concert will be required to wear face masks while inside the Reese Center.
Music Director and Conductor Dr. Russel Mikkelson begins his 20th year with the HWE. He has selected a wide variety of holiday favorites including “A Most Wonderful Christmas”, “Mary Did You Know?” and “O Holy Night” with vocalist Thomas Petrushka, “Christmas Toons” by Julie Giroux, and a band with narration of the classic “The Night Before Christmas.” Daniel Farr, a graduate conducting major at The Ohio State Universit, will serve as narrator.
The second half will open with Josh Reynolds, also a graduate conducting major at The Ohio State University, conducting Victor Herbert’s “March of the Toys.” The concert continues with Alfred Reed’s “Russian Christmas Music.” As is tradition there will be an audience sing-along and Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.”
The HWE, formed in 1985, has been recognized as one of Ohio’s finest adult concert bands. Membership is by audition only and includes outstanding musicians from Licking, Franklin, Fairfield, Guernsey, Delaware, Coshocton, Knox, and Muskingum counties. The band has been selected to perform at conventions of the Ohio Music Education Association and the American School Band Directors Association.
Additional concerts for the HWE 37th season will include February 22 and April 30, the Heisey Wind Ensemble Big Band on May 21 and the Newark Independence Day Celebration on July 3.
Non-patron tickets for HWE concerts are available only at the door. Adults are $15, seniors (60+) are $10 and students are $5. Additional information can be found at the band’s web site at www.heiseywindensemble.org
