Los Alamos Community Winds members play Christmas music together over Zoom. Courtesy/LACW
By Bonnie J. Gordon
Los Alamos Daily Post
bjgoordon@ladailypost.com
A pandemic can’t stop the Los Alamos Community Winds.
“We’re finding ways to keep playing,” Winds Artistic Director Ted Vives said.
Winds players have formed small groups for their instruments, including groups for clarinet, flute and saxophone.
“It’s important for players to keep up their playing,” Vives said. When we’re all back together, people will be in practice.”
The Winds is in the middle of its Valentine Serenade event. This ingenious fundraiser brings a small group of musicians right to your door, socially distanced of course. The Winds worked with Rose Chocolatier and Flowers by Gillian to add candy and flowers to the experience.
“The best thing is it’s allowed us to do something for the community AND raise money,” Vives said.
The Winds is planning its second Drive-in Concert for May.
“The concert will be in the parking lot,” Vives said. “Chamber ensembles will perform socially distanced for safety. Concert goers will listen in their cars.
The Winds are hoping to play together outside in the summer and be able to do indoor concerts by fall, depending on the situation with COVID-19.
“It’s our goal to keep to being able to continue to provide live music to the community,” Vives said. “A community needs that artistic outlet. We have to do everything we can to keep it going. It’s important.”
The Winds has a major event coming up in spring 2022. The Winds have partnered with Albuquerque Concert Band and the Santa Fe Concert Band to host the 2022 National Convention of the Association of Concert Bands (www.acbands.org) May 3-8.
“Community Bands from all over the country will gather in Santa Fe” Vives said. “This idea of community music is universal. We have a common goal of making great music!”
The world famous Canadian Brass will headline the Convention. The Brass will perform a separate concert and offer master classes for those attending the event.
“This is a very big endeavor we seek your support,” Vives said. “The NMACBC has created a GoFundMe page where we are soliciting financial help in producing this event. “We are asking that you consider a donation to help us reach our goal of $10,000 as we plan what we hope will be an outstanding and memorable event for everyone in attendance.”
There’s more exciting news from the Winds. The Winds have been invited to perform at the 80th Anniversary Pearl Harbor Day event. They will be representing the state of New Mexico and the town of Los Alamos, Vives said.
The Winds will travel to Honolulu Dec. 4-8 and join with bands from around the U.S. Dec. 7, Pearl Harbor Day, to perform on the deck of the USS Missouri.
Vives urges anyone interesting in going with the band, especially musicians, to contact the Winds for information at info@lacw.org.
“The community has been very supportive of us,” Vives said. “I’m astounded by the way this pandemic has sparked community feeling.”
Visit the winds online at lacw.org.