Madison New Horizons Band hosts Mother's Day concert featuring diverse musical selections

The Madison New Horizons Concert Band held its annual Mother's Day performance on May 12, 2025, at the McFarland Performing Arts Center, showcasing a diverse program that celebrated both music and community. The event began with a light-hearted survey about motherhood, engaging the audience and setting a warm tone for the concert.

The band performed a series of pieces, starting with "Earth Dance," composed by Michael Sweeney, which depicted humanity's connection to nature through music. Following this, the audience enjoyed a piece titled "Before She Gets Away," conducted by Catherine Pumb Walker, highlighting the talents of the band members.

The concert featured a medley from the animated film "How to Train Your Teenager," humorously described by the conductor, and emphasized the band's openness to new members, inviting musicians of all skill levels to join. The New Horizons Band rehearses weekly and offers opportunities for participation in various musical ensembles.

A duet by Charlie Walter on clarinet and Libby Rowe on flute showcased Johann Sebastian Bach's "Two-Part Invention Number 4," further enriching the program. The band also performed a suite arranged by Gordon Jacob, based on music by William Byrd, demonstrating the historical depth of their repertoire.

The concert included "Cedar Canyon Sketches" by Carol Breton Chambers, which transported the audience through vivid musical imagery of the Texas hill country. Throughout the performance, the band expressed gratitude to the community for their support of music education, emphasizing its importance in schools.

The event concluded with acknowledgments to various supporters, including Ward Bridal Music and the McFarland High School music faculty, as well as a reminder of their next performance scheduled for June 26. The concert not only celebrated music but also fostered a sense of community and appreciation for the arts.