Mat-Su Concert Band to hold annual holiday concerts at the Glenn Massay this weekend

PALMER — The Mat-Su Concert Band is ready to hold their annual holiday concert series at the Glenn Massay Theater Friday and Saturday.

Titled “‘Tis the Season Holiday Concert,” the massive, 75-member community band plans to bring the sounds of the holidays to life with an eclectic collection of classics, ranging from selections from “The Nutcracker” to “O Holy Night.”

Principal clarinetist and Mat-Su Concert Band board member, Drewcilla Holifield, said that everyone should recognize these festive tunes, even the ones without lyrics.

“I think that’s what makes them classic songs, is that everyone knows them, everyone sings them. Even my family in South Africa, it’s summertime over there and they still know the songs like ‘Let it Snow’” Holifield said. “I mean, it’s universal music. I think it’s the only time of year that every country— it feels like— listens to the same kind of song. Even if it’s not in English, you can recognize it.”

There’s going to be a historic milestone featured at this year’s show, according to Holifield. She said that Colony High School senior Weston Moser will be performing a solo ensemble with his euphonium, a tenor-voiced brass instrument.

She said the band rarely recruits high schoolers and this will be the first time they’ve had one perform a solo during a show. Moser is set to perform a piece called “Beautiful Colorado.”

“For a high schooler to perform it is a really big deal,” Holifield said.

Holifield said they will also be playing a classic Hanukkah song, helping make it an all-around holiday show.

“That’s exactly what we’re trying to do. I’m actually going to introduce that piece and talk a little bit about Hanukkah and what it represents,” Holifield said. “Alaska is a melting pot and we get people from all over the world, all different religions. So, it’s nice that we play traditional Christmas music but we also celebrate with our other friends who may not have the same beliefs as us.”

Holifield said that music is a universal language that has the power to connect people, especially during the holidays.

“Music is one of the only ways that we can universally communicate with people. No matter what they believe, no matter where they’re from, music always sounds the same. We always hear it the same way,” Holifield said.

There will even be a portion during the show where attendees are encouraged to sing classic Christmas carols along with the band. She said that audiences always enjoy that segment.

“They love it. It’s one of the most requested things... Because, when do people get to carol with a band?” Holifield said.

After each performance, both Friday and Saturday, there will be free coffee and cookies with the band. Concerts begin at 7:30 p.m. both days.

Admission is $20 per person. Kids under 10 are free and students are admitted for $7 with ID.

To purchase tickets online, visit glennmassaytheater.com. To learn more about the Mat-Su Concert Band, visit matsuconcertband.org.

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