Carter Mountain Brass Band plays concert Oct. 4

GILFORD — As the country commemorates 250 years since declaring independence, the Carter Mountain Brass Band is presenting a program highlighting the birth and development of American popular music, called Celebrating America Through Music at First United Methodist Church in Gilford.

Building off the foundation of everything that came before, composers and performers from our great nation blended their influences, experimented, and innovated from the late 19th century through the mid 20th and beyond, constructing a unique musical identity that would define the art form the world over. From marches to ragtime, on to big band and eventually the jazz standards that would form the great American Songbook, nearly every genre of contemporary popular music has its roots in this period of boundless American creativity.

The band invites the community to join at 3 p.m., on Sunday, Oct. 4, for the program, honoring American contributions to the brass band tradition, and a trio of soloists will put their spins on three beloved jazz standards.

In 2018, Carter Mountain welcomed a new conductor. Debbi Gibson is a retired music educator who served in the Laconia School District for 27 years as a band and chorus director and curriculum supervisor. In retirement, Gibson also teaches at Lakes Region Community College, conducts the New Horizon Band and leads the Taylor Community Chorus.

The concert is sponsored by the Wesley Arts Committee and is presented as a thank you to the church for use of rehearsal space. All proceeds will go to the church for a special mission fund. A donation is requested at the door. Students are free. The First United Methodist Church is off Route 11A, at 18 Wesley Way. A reception with a large buffet of snacks provided by the band will follow the concert.

For more information, visit cartermountainbrassband.org.