The Cumberland County Community Band will present its holiday concert in its new venue, Jets Auditorium at Cumberland County High School, at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 18.
The high school is at 660 Stanley St., Crossville.
“The concert is sure to please all ages as we present some familiar holiday classics and also play select pieces to once again feature the talents of the band musicians,” said Joan Vrielink-Capito, the band’s publicity manager. “Come out and enjoy this free concert with friends and family.”
A festive reception at 6 p.m. will precede the concert in the Auditorium lobby. Auditorium doors will open at 6:30.
“A special treat will be Christmas from the ’50s, arranged by Douglas E. Wagner, featuring our own accomplished French horn player, Ms. Jane Harding, sharing her beautiful voice to sing ‘Jingle Bell Rock’/‘Frosty the Snowman’/‘The Christmas Waltz’ and ‘(There’s No Place Like) Home for the Holidays’,” Vrielink-Capito said.
“Take a stroll down memory lane with this fun-filled holiday medley,” she added. “Ms. Harding also lends her vocal talent with the Plateau Women’s Chorus, Blessed Assurance Ensemble and her church choir.”
Additional musical highlights of the concert include:
The Holly and the Ivy, arranged by Cesarini. This is one of the oldest and most popular of all English Christmas carols, Vrielink-Capito said. The text refers to Mary and Jesus, but equally to the pre-Christian tradition of celebrating the winter solstice. The melody is thought to originate in 11th century France. Countless performers, including Charlie Byrd, Petula Clark and Annie Lennox have been inspired to record their own version of this piece.
Russian Christmas Music, arranged by Alfred Reed. Originally written in 1944, this selection is based on an ancient Russian Christmas carol. Much of the original material and some motif elements from liturgical music of the Eastern Orthodox Church are evident in this powerful work. Written as a continuous movement, the audience will be led through four distinct sections throughout this piece with a Children’s Carol, Antiphonal Chant, Village Song and Cathedral Chorus.
“We hope you enjoy this musical impression of Old Russia during the jubilant Christmas season,” Vrielink-Capito said.
And All the Bells on Earth Shall Ring, arranged by Douglas E. Wagner. Vrielink-Capito said one of the most anticipated experiences of the holiday season is listening to the sounds of bells, and reminders of the bells all around in December will include “I Saw Three Ships,” “Ding Dong! Merrily on High,” “I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” and “Ukrainian Bell Carol.” The Bell Ringers will join the band for this piece.
Christmas Africana by Larry Neeck. The band will feature the percussion section with a variety of instruments for this traditional Kenyan Christmas carol, a unique piece with an international flair.
“Additional seasonal and familiar tunes will bring a smile to the audience,” Vrielink-Capito said. “See you at the concert!”
The 2025 holiday concert, sponsored by Tommy and Cathy Crabtree, is part of the Cumberland County Community Band’s 25th anniversary concert season. Other upcoming concerts this season will be March 5, 2026, and May 21, 2026.
The band is under the direction of Bill Kerr, conductor, and Ruth Ann Tuten, assistant conductor. Its membership includes residents from Crossville and neighboring cities and towns. It also includes talented high school band students.
The band supports community high school musicians with the Patricia and Emery Nagy Scholarship, created in memory of two founding members. High school students who participate in high school band and the community band are eligible to apply for scholarships from $500-$2,000.
Cumberland County Community Band also supports the Support the Arts — or STARTS —program which provides additional funding goals for the fine arts programs of band, chorus, classroom, music, drama and visual arts in the Cumberland County school system.
Cumberland County Community Band is an IRS-designated 501c3 nonprofit organization. Donations are tax deductible and may be mailed to P.O. Box 1624, Crossville, TN 38558.
Visit www.cccband.net for more information.