The Instrumental Music Program at Western Nebraska Community College presents "Love is in the Air" Friday, November 9. The fourth annual Fall Ball, held at the Gering Civic Center, is a one night only dinner and show event.
"Love is in the Air" showcases all of the instrumental music ensembles, under the direction of Dr. Nathaniel Johnson, including student, faculty, and community talent.
The evening begins with a social hour at 6:00 p.m. with music provided by Sultry Sounds, a student-led combo of vocals, guitar, bass, and drums. The show starts at 7:00 p.m. with the Cougar Athletic Band performing the Cougar fight song Cougar Beat and Everybody Needs Somebody to Love. The evening's entertainment continues with Fire in the Pan Swingers, and Western Nebraska Winds, and the Monumental Rock Combo.
"Love is in the Air" looks at various faces of love: love gone good, love gone bad, and love just plain gone. Selections include: The Great Lover (from Leonard Bernstein's "On the Town"), a Jewish Wedding Dance, Thoughts of Love (a trombone solo with band featuring our adjunct brass instructor, Doug Babic), Rushmore (a setting of America the Beautiful), Simple Song (from Leonard Bernstein's "Mass"), I Love My Love, Hard Hearted Hannah: The Vamp of Savannah, Long Train Runnin', Respect, I Just Whisper Your Name, and many more. Solos and small ensembles by students, faculty, and community members are interspersed between the larger groups as well.
"We have some really talented new students this year," says Dr. Nathaniel Johnson, director of instrumental music at WNCC. "I know the whole bunch will put on a great show. And it's a program about something that we've ALL experienced."
During the show, guests will enjoy a dinner of chicken cordon bleu, herb-garlic mashed potatoes, roasted vegetable medley, strawberry spinach salad served in a bread bowl, and turtle cheesecake.
Individual tickets are $25 and seating is limited. Purchase individual tickets, starting October 11, during regular business hours at the WNCC Business Office or via telephone at 308.635.6020.