Stillwater Music will present its seventh annual “Winter Wonder Bands” student concert and fundraiser from noon to 5:30 p.m. Sunday at Riverbend Ranch, 27846 U.S. Highway 550.
The music school, formerly named the Stillwater Foundation, adheres to a plain-sailing teaching philosophy – “Play music, have fun and perform live” – to give people the means to start or maintain a relationship with music, and the confidence to take the stage and perform in front of an audience. The yearly winter event, unlike other Stillwater fundraisers, collects proceeds exclusively for youth music programs, and showcases the talent of Stillwater’s youth musicians to the community while simultaneously supporting them.
This year’s Winter Wonder Bands includes 94 young musicians, from 6 to 18 years old, and 12 musical groups, which will give one performance each on Sunday. It’s the first year classical music will be performed at the event, with students from intermediate and advanced string quartets who will play more sophisticated tunes for audiences.
Jeroen van Tyn, Stillwater music executive director, noted that eighth-grader Casey Reed, son of Ron Reed and Cindy Ryan of Durango and first student violinist at the school, will give a classical music performance on Sunday. Reed won the recent San Juan Youth Symphony Concerto Competition.
“He’s in eighth grade but plays with the Durango High School orchestra ... A killer player, without a doubt,” van Tyn said.
Reed will perform the piece that won the concerto competition on Sunday.
Otherwise, students are set to perform an eclectic mixture of music, such as pop, classic blues, classical string, funk, a cappella, jazz and more.
Although Stillwater has programs for a range of ages, the yearly Winter Wonder Bands event raises money for youth programs offered at the music school. The event yields about $5,000 on average each year from ticket sales and silent auction proceeds. Fundraising has been more successful the past couple years because of a change in venue and the increase in community awareness, van Tyn said.
The silent auction will be held throughout the event, students give performances, and lunch will be provided by Hot Tomatoes. Tickets will be available at the door; cost is $12 general admission and $5 for kids 12 and younger.
Stillwater offers introductory, beginning, intermediate, advanced and community classes taught by professional, working musicians for all ages and experience levels, and also provides the music program at Mountain Middle School. Instructors arrange songs to fit students, their instruments and types of classes. Instruments provided for in-class rehearsals include: marimba; vibraphone; electric-piano keyboard; steel drums; acoustic and electric guitar; electric bass; drum kits and percussion. Students also have opportunities to sing.
Stillwater Music is located at 1316 Main Ave., Suite C.
For more information, call 247-5095 or visit www.stillwatermusic.org.
fstone@durangoherald.com
