Southern Stars Present “Valentine Treats” Concert on Feb. 20

Crossville’s own professional instrumental music ensemble, the Southern Stars Symphonic Brass, is presenting their Winter concert at Stone Memorial High School’s 1200 seat auditorium on Sunday, February 20, at 3pm.  The group is composed of 30 musicians who come here for rehearsals and concerts from the areas of Nashville, Murfreesboro, Cookeville, Chattanooga, Crossville, Knoxville, and S.E. Kentucky.  They are comprised of university music department professors, secondary level band directors and music educators, and free-lance musicians from other careers.  They are now in their 14th year of providing 3 (or more) concerts per season in Crossville after their founding by Dwight Wages who is currently President of this 501-c3 nonprofit.

This upcoming concert will showcase music “of the heart” that will have meaning to both young and older residents who will recall their various crushes and romances over the years.   Concert selections will include:

Concert opener – “The Essence of Brass” by Gavin Somerset

“Cute” – a Neil Hefti swing tune

“You Raise Me Up” – Euphonium soloist Briana Vogt

“The Belle of Chicago” march by John Philip Sousa

“I Vow to Thee” by Gustav Holst

“Friend Like Me” (from Aladdin) – Bass Trombone solo by Chuck Lyons

“Burning Love” (Elvis hit song)

“Let’s Face the Music and Dance” – an Irving Berlin tune

“Hard to Say I’m Sorry” – ’80’s hit song by the group Chicago

“I’ve Got You Under My Skin” – Flugelhorn solo by Chris McCormick

“If We Hold On Together” – by Diana Ross (from the film “The Land Before Time”)

“De-Lovely” – a Cole Porter medley.

The concert will also include a tribute to Tracy Luna (tuba),  a 14 year charter member of the SSSB, who recently passed away at age 48 during the week before Christmas from his struggle with pancreatic cancer.  The band will perform the iconic march “Them Basses” in memory of Tracy.  The “Tracy Luna Scholarship Fund” is being established for eligible students from DeKalb County High School (where Tracy served as the band director) for those who will be pursuing an instrumental music degree at a post-secondary institution.  A donation to this fund from the Southern Stars Symphonic Brass will be awarded at this concert.

Tickets for this concert are currently available at the following outlet locations:   First National Bank of TN branches in Crossville & Fairfield Glade;   On It’s Way (UPS / FedEx shipping) in the Village Mall in Fairfield Glade;  and Bed & Biscuit Kennel off of Peavine Road.   Students are admitted FREE, and Adult single concert tickets are $22.   A “Short Season” ticket for both the Feb. 20 concert and the last one of the season on May 22, are a bargain at $35.   Sponsors for this event are:  Bed & Biscuit Kennel (Season sponsor); and Concert sponsors Mary Helen McHugh of Better Homes  & Gardens /Gwin Realty; Gordon Atchley – Farm Bureau Insurance;  Tim & Sue Tewalt;   Bob & Jaye Emrick.