Mat-Su Concert Band presenting 'Portraits of the North' at Glenn Massay Theater

WASILLA — The Mat-Su Concert Band is hosting a special concert at the Glenn Massay Theater Saturday, March 11 at 7:30 p.m.

Portraits of the North is a unique arrangement of Alaskan-themed songs. Major highlights of the concert include Robert Buckley's "Iditarod" and the world premiere of "Alaska: The Last Frontier."

"Iditarod" is a song from Buckley's suite "Portraits of Alaska," the inspiration for the upcoming concert title.

Mat-Su Concert Band Director Gleo Huyck is a founding member of the Iditarod with Tom Johnson and Joe Redington, Sr. who's often referred to as the “Father of the Iditarod."

"When we first started this race, we didn't know if anybody would finish or not," Huyck said with a laugh. "It's become a very different race."

Huyck said they're excited to be the first band to perform composer Anthony Susi's "Alaska: The Last Frontier." He said it feels great to be chosen for the opportunity.

"It's really, really good music," Huyck said.

Mat-Su Concert Band clarinet player Alexis Brown said that she's excited to perform this Saturday. She said the music was really challenging to work out, but the end result was worth all the effort.

"I think we're pretty prepared," Brown said.

The Mat-Su Concert Band is the largest and oldest musical organization in the Mat-Su Valley. The group puts on a variety of annual and one-time concerts at various venues.

"It's always fun to be surrounded by like-minded people who enjoy making high-quality music for the community," Brown said.

The next Mat-Su Concert Band performance will take place in May. The band will take the summer off and pick back up in August.

Tickets for Portraits of the North can be purchased online at matsuconcertband.org/product/portraits-of-the-north.

Contact Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com