A message from the Hot Springs Concert Band...

The Woodlands Auditorium was near capacity on Sunday, May 4, when the Hot Springs Concert band took to the stage for its annual Spring Concert. But before a single note was played, the audience first enjoyed ice cream and all the fixins, courtesy of the Kiwanis Club of Hot Springs Village. The weather was beautiful, so beautiful in fact that the concert could have been held outdoors.

Once the concert began at 3 p.m., band Artistic Director and Principal Conductor Jim Lloyd directed the band through eleven pieces which included Fanfare and Flourishes, Princess Leia's Theme (from Star Wars), The Golden Age of Broadway, Shenandoah, Patton, Concerto for Clarinet, Amparito Roca, Shepherd's Hey, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Somewhere (from West Side Story), and Instant Concert. 

The highlight of the concert was Mozart's Concerto for Clarinet, magnificently performed by principal clarinetist Kathy Hendricks. 

After the concert, the band's Board of Directors hosted a reception for the band's donors. This annual event is the band's way of showing appreciation for those who donate to the band, providing a foundational/grass roots source of funding which sustains the band's operational expenses throughout the year. In this way, the HSCB can continue its 50-year legacy of making music for Hot Springs, Hot Springs Village, and neighboring communities. All donations to the band are very much appreciated.  

Over the years, the band has had opportunities to play beyond just this area of the state. One of those opportunities comes up again this year, as the band will play for the Association of Concert Band's annual convention in Fort Smith on June 5. It is very much looking forward to playing and representing this great area of our state. 

In the meantime, the band is preparing for its annual Memorial Day concert on Monday, May 26, at 3 p.m. at Whittington Park in Hot Springs followed by the summer concert series. Then, this year of celebration will culminate with the band's 50th anniversary concert on Sunday, October 12, at 3 p.m. at the Woodlands Auditorium. This concert will feature a national recognized guest vocalist and a guest conductor who will share the stage with the band on several selections. These will be announced soon, so stay tuned! Be sure to check out the band's concert schedule in that section of the web page so you can stay current on any changes that may have come up. 

A big thank you goes out to the Kiwanis Club for the wonderful ice cream social at the Spring Concert and for all the work it does to help the youth in our area. It's always gratifying to know that some of the proceeds from this concert are invested into such a worthy cause. 

For now, the band is looking forward to seeing you at the Memorial Day concert at Whittington Park at 3 p.m. on May 26 for an enjoyable afternoon of patriotic music and remembrance. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held at the Arkansas School for Mathematics, Sciences, and the Arts at 200 Whittington Avenue (just down the street from the park concert location). This will be announced by radio in Hot Springs and Hot Springs Village by noon on concert day, KQUS 97.5 in Hot Springs and KVRE 2.9 in Hot Springs Village. 

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