The sounds of the holidays: Dickinson City Band and DSU string ensemble combine for concert

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The Dickinson City Band will join with the Dickinson State University Strings to present a Christmas concert at 7:30 p.m. Monday in Dickinson State University Stickney Auditorium.

“I have enjoyed working with the strings and promoting the string ensemble playing in our area,” Director Priscilla Keogh said. “It is also a pleasure to direct the city band and to be able to combine the two groups to play orchestral music.”

The two groups will combine to present “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and “Christmas Classics.”

The Dickinson City Band will entertain with “An English Christmas,” “Home for Christmas,” “Christmas Carillon,” “Home for Christmas” and “Gesu Bambino.”

The strings will present four carols including “O Come All Ye Faithful,” “Pat-A-Pan,” “Silent Night” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”

City Band President Bob Keogh said the band has a history of presenting musical events in the Dickinson area.

“Our board of directors has actively worked to be sure the tradition will continue and hopes the Dickinson area will continue to support its growth by becoming a member of the band or attending the concerts presented now and in the future,” he said.

Membership is open to musicians in the area, even if they haven’t played in a long while.

“Dust off your case and start playing again,” Priscilla Keogh said. “It’s so much more fun in a group than playing by yourself.”

The musicians come from Dickinson, Hettinger, Bowman and Killdeer.

A Hettinger pastor, Rev. Ron Nelson, has been bringing his two violin students to rehearsals in Dickinson — a distance of 70 miles.

“It’s an opportunity to participate in an orchestra — we have small string groups, but not an orchestra,” he said.

Emily Bradbury of Dickinson, a member of the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony, plays the violin with the DSU string ensemble and her trumpet with the band.

“It’s an opportunity to get together and play,” she said. “Come out and listen to some Christmas music and get away from the bustle of everything else.”

Rehearsals are Monday evenings in the DSU band room. Sponsor opportunities are available for the band’s endeavors.

Refreshments will be served following the performance.

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