Holiday tradition burns bright in Newburyport
The Lookout , Sonya Vartabedian and Bette Neumyer

Daily News of Newburyport, December 14, 2006

Merrimack Valley Concert Band holiday show

Conductor Karen Mundo strikes up the Merrimack Valley Concert Band for its annual Christmas Concert on Sunday at 2 p.m. at Pentucket Regional Middle School Auditorium on Route 113 at the West Newbury/Groveland town line.

The free concert will include both traditional and popular favorites such as "Mary's Boy Child," "Have Yourself a Very Merry Christmas," John Rutter's "Candlelight Carol," Henry VIII's "Pastime in Good Company" and "A Show Stoppin' Christmas." There will be new arrangements from a collection of Hanukkah songs, including "Hanukkah," "O Hanukkah," "Maoz Tsur" and "Mi Y'Maliel." A Christmas sing-along rounds out the program. Local singer Kathy Peavey will lend her vocals to the program, as well.

Featuring 40 members, the community band performed 14 concerts this year, including its "Swing Into Spring" gala at the Georgetown Country Club. It has released a CD, "Reflections of Summer," highlighting music reminiscent of summer band concerts on a village green.

Sunday's performance is sponsored in part by the West Newbury Cultural Council. For more, visit www.mvcband.org or call 978-729-0723.