ALBEMARLE — The Rowan Big Band All Stars — an 18-piece community big band based out of Landis, NC — are scheduled to play their annual Christmas show at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center on Dec. 9 at 7:30 p.m.
This is the third of five concerts in the Stanly County Concert Association’s 2023-24 concert season. For season membership or single ticket information, visit stanlyconcert.com; tickets will also be sold at the door.
Adult admission is $25 and student admission is $10.
“This is a great venue for showing a big band like ours and our Christmas show is our biggest of the year!” Rowan Big Band vocalist Bill Bucher Jr. said in a social media post. “I hope you’ll be able to join us for a holly-good show in December.”
The group will be performing traditional Christmas favorites at its Agri-Civic Center show.
With roots dating back to 2016, the Rowan Big Band plays as a nonprofit organization as the net proceeds from its musical performances are used to fund local charities. The band’s upcoming Albemarle show marks its eighth concert of the year.
Musically, the big band swing band is based in the tradition of famous bandleaders like Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Duke Ellington. Specializing in jazz standards and swing-era favorites, the RBB has also taken on ballads, pop hits, vocals, solo instrument features and ensemble performances.
Tenor saxophonist and retired Albemarle High School band director Tim Hedrick is the current RBB music director.
Earlier this year, Hedrick — a Stanly County Concert Band member — was named the 2023 Arts Person of the Year by the Stanly County Arts Council for his efforts in supporting and promoting quality arts experiences for the county.
The group also includes tenor saxophonist Jamin Shanti, alto saxophonists Ed Harper and Mike Price, baritone saxophonists Mary Ellen Williams and Chris Cooper, as well as trombonists Chris Wilson, Randell Hastings, Charles Emerich and Eric Shakespeare.
Van Rowell, Bill Hall, Ned Weavil, Don Angel and Conard Haywood handle the band’s trumpet duties while keyboardist Nancy Sloop and guitarist Graham Carlton bolster a rhythm section of drummer Kurt Varney and bassist Peter de Klerk.
“From the beginning, founder Ron Turbyfill’s vision for the Band has been not only to keep the heritage of big band music alive, but also to support local charitable causes by providing quality entertainment for charity events and fundraisers,” the RBB said in a media release. “Over the years the band has performed at benefits for charities such as Communities in Schools, Speedway Childrens’ Charities, the USO, American Cancer Society, The American Legion Auxiliary, W.G. Hefner Veterans’ Medical Center and others.”
Upcoming concerts in the Stanly County Concert Association’s concert season series include classical pianists Paul and Sophia Chandley on Feb. 3 and the rhythm-and-blues band The Extraordinaires on March 23. Both are also scheduled to take place in the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center.