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A message from the Hot Springs Concert Band...The Woodlands Auditorium in Hot Springs Village was the site of a very special and unforgettable concert on Sunday, April 21, as Hot Springs Village, Hot Springs and surrounding communities said farewell to Dr. Craig Hamilton as he ended his 25-year gig as Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Hot Springs Concert Band (HSCB). After a special treat of ice cream and toppings prior to the concert, compliments of the Kiwanis Club of Greater Hot Springs, the audience was treated to an unexpected video presentation highlighting Craig’s career with the HSCB. This eight-minute journey of photos and music brought laughter and tears to everyone and set the tone and stage for the milestone concert that followed. The audience enjoyed Craig’s farewell repertoire of music, showcasing the band’s musical skills and versatility, which Craig has been developing and honing for a quarter-century. The band gave back to Craig everything it had to give through nine selections with multiple movements, which were among his favorites the band has performed over the years. At the intermission, band president Kathy Hendricks and the band board of directors presented Craig’s wife, Robin, with a bouquet of red roses for her important role in supporting Craig and sharing him with the band for all these years. Also presented were several gifts to Craig, including a photo memory book with band members’ personal thoughts included. As always, Craig’s humor did not disappoint the audience. Though deeply touched by the outpouring of love, he maintained his composure in fine form in his swan song with the band. After the concert, the band board of directors held its annual reception for band donors to show appreciation for their faithful contributions to the band throughout the year. Some are new donors, some have been donors for many years, and some for decades. All donations, no matter how small or large, are always needed and appreciated because these cover the band’s operating expenses. Of course, all musicians (with the exception of the principal conductor) are volunteers, donating their own time at home to practice, then participate in band rehearsals and concerts year after year for the love of making music. This year’s reception was more special as it also gave the donors more opportunity to visit with Craig personally and complete for him a memorable day of farewell. Though Craig’s departure represents the end of an era, it certainly does not mean the end of the Hot Springs Concert Band. Craig’s final words to the band were “Thank you for a GREAT concert today! Thank you for 25 years of great memories and music! I love you all!” Craig’s legacy, and that of his predecessors, will continue through new leadership into a new era of making music and memories for years to come. The band hopes all of you will stay aboard with and look forward to what’s in store. For the near future, two of the band's associate conductors, Claude Smith and Jim Lloyd, will alternate at the conductor’s podium until a new principal conductor is selected. This should be completed by the first of September, at the latest. Both Smith and Lloyd are retired band directors and bring their own unique talents and wealth of experience to the band. They will be directing the Memorial Day concert and summer series concerts. The Memorial Day concert will be held in Whittington Park in Hot Springs on Monday, May 27, at 3 p.m. The summer series concerts will be held on four Monday evenings at 7 p.m. in the Fountain Lake School Auditorium. Those dates are June 10, June 24, July 8 and July 22. Watch the band website here and stay tuned to news articles, social media and radio for upcoming details. |
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