North Little Rock, Arkansas – The North Little Rock Community Concert Band is set to continue its 2025 concert season with a special performance that brings the rich musical traditions of the British Isles to life. The concert will take place on Sunday, August 17 at 3:00 p.m. at the Patrick Henry Hays Center, located at 401 W. Pershing Blvd in North Little Rock. Admission to the event is free and open to the public.
Under the leadership of Music Director Rico Belotti, the all-volunteer wind ensemble—comprising more than 100 talented musicians—will present a program titled “Sounds of the British Isles.” The carefully selected pieces for this concert reflect the diverse and evocative musical heritage of England, Ireland, and Scotland.
The program features two beloved works by English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, including “Flourish for Wind Band” and “Seventeen Come Sunday” from his celebrated “English Folk Song Suite.” These selections showcase the composer’s masterful adaptations of traditional British folk melodies into lush, symphonic arrangements.
Also on the program is Percy Aldridge Grainger’s deeply emotional “Irish Tune from County Derry,” famously known as “Danny Boy,” as well as his tender setting of “Ye Banks and Braes O’ Bonnie Doon,” which highlights the lyrical beauty of the band’s woodwind and brass choirs.
Adding a martial flair, Belotti will lead the band through Kenneth J. Alford’s march “On the Quarter Deck,” while Associate Music Director Bill Spainhour will step to the podium to conduct two additional pieces—Alford’s iconic “Colonel Bogey” march and American composer Patrick Glenn Harper’s scenic tribute to Scotland, “Highland Castle Echoes.”
This performance is part of the band’s mission to enrich the cultural landscape of North Little Rock through engaging live music experiences. With a diverse repertoire and a commitment to community engagement, the North Little Rock Community Concert Band continues to be a cherished fixture in the region’s performing arts scene.
For those interested in learning more about the concert or the band, additional information can be found by calling 501-920-2539, visiting www.nlrcommunityband.com, or checking out the group’s Facebook page.
