Annual Holiday Band Concert December 11, 2009

On Friday, December 11th, The KEENE HIGH SCHOOL FINE AND
PERFORMING ARTS DEPARTMENT will present the annual "Holiday Band
Concert".

The concert, featuring the KHS Concert Band under the direction
of Band Director Eric Anderson, begins at 7:30 PM and will be in the
auditorium. Admission is free.

The concert will include a variety of concert band literature including
arrangements of popular music, a traditional style march, original compositions
for band, and of course, music of the season.

Of special note is the featured composition written specifically for the KHS
Concert Band by Dr. Andrew Boysen, Jr., Professor of Music and Director of
Bands at the University of New Hampshire, Durham. With the very generous
help from the Irwin fund, the KHS Band commissioned Dr. Boysen to write a
piece for the band. Dr. Boysen came to KHS to visit with the band members
and Mr. Anderson, KHS Director of Bands. Many ideas on which to base this
piece were discussed. After much discussion, Dr. Boysen left with a general
outline of ideas for the composition. “Heirloom”, the name Dr. Boysen chose
for this new piece for band, is dedicated to the parents of all band members
everywhere for their never ending support of their child’s music making. This
dedication was in part inspired by the parents of KHS Band Director Eric
Anderson, who have attended performances of their children and grandchildren
for well over 50 years. “Heirloom” includes elements of a traditional style
march, some swing style music, melodies that suggest a nostalgic contemplation
of past concerts, sections that are slow and reflective along with some
contemporary techniques that appeal to today’s students. In effect, it is a
mini-concert in one piece of music, exactly what was discussed the day Dr.
Boysen visited KHS.

Dr. Boysen will again be visiting KHS to work with the Concert Band prior to
the concert to share with the band members his vision of how the piece should
sound. He will also be attending the concert when “Heirloom” will be
premiered.

The Keene Band Boosters Associated will be hosting a reception after the
concert for Dr. Boysen, students, family, and friends. All are welcome.

The snow date is Saturday, December 12th, same location and time.