THOMASVILLE — This Victorian Christmas, Thomas County Central High School band program musicians will fill downtown Thomasville with the sound of festive holiday tunes. 

“We are very excited to perform publicly at Victorian Christmas this year,” director Joe Regina said. “We hope to have a large turnout so that people can witness the talent and hard work of our band students here at TCCHS.”

Students in gold and blue bands, jazz ensemble and percussion have spent months preparing for these performances, including class time and after-school rehearsals. 

“Focused rehearsals are essential due to the fact there is very little time between our fall concert and the Christmas performances, most of which are in early December,” Regina said. “[Also], it is important to be selective in music that will be performed outside. The elements can present many challenges to the musicians and will require them to make on-the-spot adjustments to sound their best.”

Junior Barbara Hardemon, 17, is a member of the gold band and the jazz ensemble. She says rehearsals have been stressful, but she loves playing music.

“My favorite part is when all the music started to come together and sound good,” she said. 

Jazz ensemble member Josh Sharpe, 16, plays the alto saxophone.

“The band as a whole has worked extremely hard to prepare for the concert,” he said. “My favorite part would definitely be working on how to improvise in the chord progressions.”

Senior and multi-instrumentalist Tommy Piland says the best part of preparing for these performances is just having fun and making music with his peers.

Victorian Christmas performances cover both nights, the jazz ensemble on Thursday followed by both blue and gold bands on Friday (see box).

“We are performing a wide variety of Christmas and holiday music, including a diverse collection of styles, themes and genres,” Regina said. “There will be everything from the traditional tunes such as ‘Deck the Halls’ and ‘Frosty’ to ‘The Polar Express’ and even the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.”

Senior Lauren McGuire, 17, plays the clarinet and tenor saxophone. She performs in both jazz ensemble and gold band. Her favorite holiday piece is “O Holy Night.”

“It’s a really pretty straight eighth piece,” McGuire said. “It’s my favorite because of the trumpet and clarinet solos.”

Percussionist Jude Sowell, 17, has enjoyed perfecting the pieces he’ll perform. 

“My favorite is ‘Cowboy Christmas’ because it’s an interesting take on Christmas classics,” he said. 

Regina’s favorite selection is the “Home Alone” medley.

“It is nostalgic for me, and I love the music of composer John Williams,” he said.

Freshman Arwen Hancock, 14, is a blue band member and French horn player. Her favorite tune, by far, is “Christmas Eve.”

“Near the end, when the French horns and a few other instruments have the melody, and the low brass comes in with the bass, everything feels like it’s just coming together. I can’t help but feel proud of our band.”

Youth musicians encourage Victorian Christmas visitors and community members to stop by their performance venues and listen to the bands’ holiday sounds.

“Our band has worked very hard to perform for our family, friends and community,” Hancock said. “Having people listen to us put in (the) effort to make a great sound and entertain others is an amazing feeling.”

People attending a performance shows they care about the youth performers’ efforts and progress, Hardemon adds.

McGuire agrees, stating audience attendance is recognition of the students’ hard work.

“I think people should come and hear us because we’ve worked really hard for this, and it would be good for the people to hear our great work,” she said. 

 

WHAT: TCCHS Jazz Ensemble Victorian Christmas Performance

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12

WHERE: Remington Avenue

 

WHAT: TCCHS Blue Band Victorian Christmas Performance

WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13

WHERE: in front of the historic Thomas County Courthouse on Broad Street

 

WHAT: TCCHS Gold Band Victorian Christmas Performance (may include a special appearance from the “Best of the Nest” Marching Band)

WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13

WHERE: in front of the historic Thomas County Courthouse on Broad Street