Community bands join to play free Christmas concert

The Flathead Valley Community Band and New Horizons Band have collaborated to present a Christmas Spectacular concert Dec. 10 in Kalispell. 

The concert will open with the New Horizons Band playing a number of Christmas medleys featuring traditional music arranged by modern composers, under the direction of Eileen Alexander. 

The Flathead Valley Community band will begin its part of the concert with “March of the Toys,” from the Broadway show, “Babes in Toyland,” arranged by Victor Herbert and Mark Rogers. The band will also perform “A Most Wonderful Christmas,” a jubilant medley of beloved holiday carols arranged by Robert Sheldon.  

“This spirited work captures the essence of the season with its vibrant orchestrations and seamless transitions between well-known melodies,” Flathead Valley Community Band director Allen Slater said. 

Both groups will combine for the final portion of the concert to perform: “Christmas at the Circus,” arranged by Randall Standridge and “A Fresh Aire Christmas,” a collection of Chip Davis tunes made famous by Manheim Steamroller. The concert will close with Leroy Anderson’s “Sleigh Ride.” 

The concert starts at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at the Red Lion Hotel, 20 N. Main St., Kalispell, in the ballroom. While there is no cost to attend, donations will be accepted to offset costs.