Mat-Su Concert Band set for two shows at the Glenn Massay this weekend

PALMER—The Mat-Su Concert Band is gearing up for their weekend special, "Heroes and Heroines” featuring numerous film favorites and classic symphonies at the Glenn Massay Theater Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m.

“I feel that we’ve gotten a lot of support from the community and we’ve grown a lot over the past 10 years. The band has continues to grow in quality each year,” conductor Gleo Huyck said.

Huyck said that during their concerts, they will perform two classic “Star Wars” songs, “Leah’s Theme” and “Yoda’s Theme” from episodes four and five.

“Those are the two most beautiful melodies John Williams wrote,” Huyck said.

The MSCB will also play another Williams classic, “Summon of the Heroes” which was written for the 1996 Summer Olympics.

“I thought it would be appropriate for this concert,” Huyck said.

The two-day concert series will feature songs from popular favorites including "Frozen", "Star Wars", and "Mary Poppins,” "Beauty and the Beast", "Cinderella" and "The Lord of the Rings.”

The Mat-Su Concert band is the largest and oldest musical organization in the Mat-Su Valley. This is Huyuck’s 11th year conducting the MSCB and the current roster consists of about 70 musicians from nearby as Palmer or Wasilla, or as far away as a new flutist from Germany.

“We fill our positions with a wide high quality musicians,” he said.

Tickets are $15 for general admission and $7 for students. Children under 5 get in free. Tickets can be purchased at the door or online at matsuconcertband.org.

The next MSCB performance will be at their annual holiday concert on Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m. and Dec. 16 at 4 p.m.

The MSCB rehearses regularly at Palmer High School. Huyck notes that anyone interested in join the band can apply online or stop by during a rehearsal.