Concert rescheduled on Sunday

By Donnie A. Lucas

The traditional Christmas concert that was scheduled for Thursday featuring the three Albany school bands has been postponed until Sunday, Dec. 12.

The concert was changed due to a conflict with the Albany Lions semifinal football playoff also now set for Thursday (today) in Lubbock.

The concert is divided into three sessions so students and parents don’t have to stay for all the bands unless they want to.

The Sixth Grade Band will perform first at 2:30 p.m., playing two selections – Jingle Bells and Jolly Old St. Nick.

The Seventh Grade Band will play two songs starting at 3:30 p.m., including March of the Toy Soldier and Carole of the Bells.

Finally, the High School Concert Band, which includes students in grades 8-12, takes the stage at 4:30 p.m. The high school list of music includes March for Christmas, Oh Little Town of Bethlehem, and Crazy, Mixed Up Christmas Concert.

The high school band is also reprising last year’s “Ugly Christmas Sweater” attire, according to director Will Vaughan.

“We are asking the high school band members to wear the ugliest Christmas sweaters they can find for the performance for our second annual Ugly Christmas Sweater Concert,” Vaughan said.

Vaughan added that the staggered starting times that were implemented for COVID-19 precautions worked well, so he decided to continue the practice.

“There isn’t as much congestion in the auditorium or backstage when the groups are divided,” he said. “And the parents seemed to like it that way too.”