Lake Country symphony ready to launch 2020 season

The Lake Country Symphonic Band in Mineola launches its 2020 season this Sunday, March 15, at 2 p.m.

Titled “High Sticking,” the concert features the talents of three energetic percussionists on Mark Ford’s “Stubernic Fantasy.” Written for Eugene Corporon and the band at the University of North Texas, the work calls for the three soloists to all be on one marimba at the same time, sometimes playing on the edges of the instrument and even walking around it. Featured will be Tyler Broadhurst, percussion coordinator at Kennedale ISD; Nick Alberts, percussion director at Kaufman ISD; and Jeff Garza, percussion coordinator at Sulphur Springs ISD. Alberts and Garza are members of the Lake Country Symphonic Band; Broadhurst is a former member.

Also on the program is “Pines of the Appian Way,” the final movement of Respighi’s “The Pines of Rome.” More epic Roman music is “Parade of the Charioteers” from “Ben Hur.” The concert will also include a world premiere of the piece, “The Sword of St. Michael,” by the band’s composer in residence, Kelly Bennette.

Other selections will be “Ashokan Farewell,” honoring the memory of longtime band member and retired high school band director Jasper Huff, who passed away in December; a rollicking Irish piece, “Lanigan’s Ball;” “Of Honor and Valor Eternal,” dedicated to the Tuskeegee Airmen; and Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Russian Easter Overture.”

The Sunday, March 15 performance will begin at 2, with the Tuesday, March 17 concert starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for 11 and under. The box office will open one hour prior to each concert. Reservations are a must and can be made by calling the box office at 903-569-2300. Season tickets for the band are still on sale for $20 for four concerts.

The Lake Country Symphonic Band performs its concerts at The Historic Select Theater, a venue that is celebrating its centennial this year. The theater is located at 114 N. Johnson Street in Mineola.