Santa Fe College's new concert band, the Santa Fe Winds, will kick off its debut season tonight at 7:30 with its first performance.
About 30 Santa Fe students will premiere with eight instrumental pieces, said Chris Sharp, Santa Fe's director of instrumental music and conductor for the band. The program will include works by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Cecile Chaminade and James Vincent, as well as two pieces written by Sharp.
Santa Fe first-year music student Dylan King, who will be performing "Flute Concertino" by Chaminade, said he is excited about the debut.
King said he enjoys playing for an audience and that he is not nervous because he performed the same piece when he was in his high school band.
"They're going to be terrific for their first time," Sharp said, adding that band has been practicing since the beginning of Fall semester.
The performance will also feature guest conductor Johnny Egan, an SFC sophomore, who will direct "Lyric Overture" by Frank Erickson.
Ensemble members get college credit for their work. Santa Fe offers the concert band class to anyone who is interested and has previous experience with instruments.
But this will be the first time Santa Fe will have its own performing band-Santa Fe Winds.
"We now have enough students to have our own ensemble," Sharp said, adding that the class previously collaborated with the Gainesville Community Band.
He said SFC is just starting its music program, but it is already offering a range of music classes.
Students could not pursue degrees in music previously at Santa Fe.
Admission to the concert is free and will be held in the college's E Auditorium. The group's second performance is scheduled for Dec. 1.
