Community Band Puts a Twist on the Holiday Concert
- Hillsdale News
- 6 days ago
- 2 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
[November 16, 2025]
Contributed by Wade Wisler for the Southwest Portland Community Band
Now in its ninth year, the Southwest Portland Community Band (SWPCB) continues to bring fresh energy to the community band tradition. This year's winter concert takes place on Sunday, December 14, at 5pm at the Multnomah Arts Center. Admission is free; donations are appreciated. Pizza, salad and beverages will be available, including microbrews, wine and sparkling water.
Directed by Ida B. Wells band teacher Nick Caldwell, the band has grown to more than 50 players. Two concerts each year, in spring and winter, raise funds for the Wells music program, primarily for the purchase of new instruments. Some of the percussion instruments at Wells are as old as the school itself (68 years), and are in need of replacement.
Two years ago, funds raised by SWPCB made it possible to purchase a new set of chimes, and last year saw the replacement a very old and well-used vibraphone. This year the fundraising goal is instruments (both wind and percussion) as well as funds to cover the cost of professional musicians to help the young players at Wells with technical development and musicianship. The upcoming bond-funded school modernization does not include new musical instruments.
As is usual for the band's winter concert, some pieces on the program feature traditional holiday and Christmas melodies. "The Many Moods of Christmas" was arranged by Robert Russel Bennett and the famous orchestral and choral conductor, Robert Shaw. "Silent Night in Gotham," arranged by Julie Giroux, offers a big-city twist on the popular Christmas carol. Other works include "Little Mexican Suite," an ambitious, four-movement work featuring traditional rhythms and depicting the natural beauty of Mexico. Based on a touching story, "Fantasy on a Japanese Folk Song" by Samuel Hazo is dramatic and emotionally gripping. In a nod to pop music mainstay Barry Manilow—whose foundation awarded $10,000 to Caldwell and the school music program over the summer—the program includes the Manilow classic, "Copacabana." For more program details, go to https://www.swportland.band/concerts-programs.
This concert features founder Kristin Rencher, who returns to play in the clarinet section. Various band members will step into the conductor role as director and Wells band teacher Nick Caldwell recovers from surgery.
Questions? Comments? Let us know.
