By By BRIAN BLACKLEY
Publisher
Saturday will feature an Atmore first when the newly-formed Atmore Community Band performs for local residents on the lawn of the Atmore Lions Community Center.
At 5 p.m., the Atmore Community Band, a group of 18 local residents with musical ability pound, blow and strum the notes to Christmas songs under the direction of former Escambia County High School band director Curtis Harris. Harris first made a name for himself in music when he played with Nat King Cole.
At 5 p.m. on the steps of the Community Center at 501 South Pensacola Avenue the premier of the Atmore Community Band will be held.
According to Phil Johnson, chief executive officer of the Greater Escambia Council for the Arts, the group has been working for several weeks to hone their skills and to present their talent to the community.
The performance will represent the first time the community band has performed for a crowd, and it's something that participant Jerry Gehman is excited about.
The band formed in October when a group of residents got together with a goal of hosting annual concert events in the community. There are 18 participants in the band who play a number of instruments including different horns, reed instruments and even some stringed instruments.
And according to Gehman, the band is open for additional participation.
Saturday's event will keep people in the Christmas spirit with free wassail and hot offered to those who come for the performance.
Gehman said little is needed to enjoy the concert.
Following the 5 p.m. performance of the Atmore Community Band, the vocal ensemble from First Presbyterian Church will perform at 5:30.
Then, at 6 p.m., the combined choirs of Robinsonville Baptist Church and Atmore Christian School will present selections from "Glorious Joy."
At 6:30, "The Four Jays," a barbershop quartet will perform before the vocal group from the Mennonite Christian Fellowship sings at 7 p.m.
At 7:30, open Christmas caroling will begin.
There is no cost for attendance for the event sponsored by the Greater Escambia Council for the Arts.