At the Vienna Community Center on Sunday, Dec. 9, more than 60 guests turned out for the annual Vienna Community Band holiday concert, as a traditionally-decorated Christmas tree stood watch. John Saint Amour conducted a repertoire ranging from Tchaikovsky to Irving Berlin, and Mayor M. Jane Seeman narrated "The Night Before Christmas" to accompanying background melody and sound effects.
The 60-member band has been practicing for this concert over the past month, in three or four rehearsals. Fourteen-year-old Dominic Favia of Vienna, an award-winning trumpet player, has played with the Vienna Community Band for two years. The bylaws were modified so the Oakton youngster, now a freshman at Oakton High School, could participate.
"It’s a good concert," said 10-year-old Grace Shamlian of Oakton, whose neighbor plays in the band. "I think people should come to this because the music was well-played and I liked listening to the story."