A concert to remember

On April 7 the Anchorage Community Concert Band gathered in the Discovery Theatre to perform a free concert in remembrance of America’s involvement in World War II. When describing the theme of the concert, conductor Mark Wolbers said, “there’s a peril to ignoring what goes on in the rest of the world,” in reference to America’s late involvement in the war, following the attacks at Pearl Harbor and the subsequent loss of lives.

The band was illuminated on stage with colorful florals lighting up the backdrop. They began quickly after the show was set to start, with no introduction until after the second song. 

The second song of the night was “Hymn for the Fallen,” from the musical score of the 1998 film “Saving Private Ryan,” composed by John Williams. This song featured beautiful moments where the listener could clearly hear the clarinets. While the song was rather gentle and melancholic, it followed a rise and fall that swelled in intensity at certain moments. This piece felt classic, and what I would expect of a score from a movie of the time period. 

My personal favorite pieces performed were selections from the 1949 musical “South Pacific.” This musical was composed by Richard Rodgers, who composed music for 43 musicals. He was the first to win an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) as well as two Pulitzer Prizes. This piece included some lively moments featuring cymbals, and was rather cheery and jaunty in some parts, which was a welcome reprieve from some more sorrowful music. 

The Anchorage Community Concert Band was formed in 1981 “out of a desire to create an environment and opportunity for adult musicians to rehearse and perform together as a concert wind band” according to the concert program. I found it significant that the community had come together to create an opportunity for people outside of traditional schooling and those who couldn’t work as musicians to still be able to come together and perform. Many adults lose art forms they were able to explore in childhood and young adulthood because of lack of affordable and reasonable options to pursue it further. The community band is a great example of preserving lifelong artistic skills. 

Wolbers was part of UAA’s faculty from 1992 to 2018, where he “performed, taught, and conducted the University Wind Ensemble,” according to the program. Wolbers has over 40 years of experience and showed clear joy in continuing to work with musicians. He is currently the State of Alaska Chair for the College Band Directors National Association. He is the composer of the UAA Alma Mater. He is also an Alaskan fruit growing enthusiast, and is the President of the Alaska Pioneer Fruit Growers Association. 

The Anchorage Community Concert Band Board President, Kathleen McArdle, thanked Bettye Davis East High for renting their band room for rehearsal space — the band utilizes spaces like these and contributions from the community through instruments, monetary donations and volunteer work to continue to practice and perform. To learn more about upcoming performances and opportunities to join the band, visit AnchorageCommunityConcertBand.org.