In conjunction with WNCC's Homecoming on the Range, the Fall Ball will focus on the theme of How the West Was Won. The annual instrumental music concert will be held at 7 p.m. Oct. 27 at the Gering Civic Center. Doors open at 6:15 p.m. with a cash bar and live music. Tickets are on sale now for $30, which includes a dinner.
"Collaborating Fall Ball with Homecoming just seems to fit,"said WNCC Instrumental Director Dr. Nathaniel Johnson. "Last year we had a ton of fun dressing up and matching our performance with the Homecoming theme, so we hope to see similar success, including audience participation, this year."
"This presented an interesting challenge, as there are comparatively few pieces of music written for swing band or horn-rock band that fit the theme," he said. "Thus I've had to write out more of the tunes for this show than I've had to before, but we're ending up with some really fun music."
Some of that music includes songs from popular composers or artists like Aaron Copland, John Denver, Count Basie, and Garth Brooks. All music from the evening will be western or country, or have a focus on country or prairie matter, including a few pieces taken from old western movies.
The Fall Ball will also include guest performances of vocalist Debby Wagner, Joe Jensen on the tuba, and the Valley Voices Children's Choir.
"Our guest performers are always entertaining and receive very positive feedback from the community," Johnson said. "We're very fortunate these musicians are willing to share their talents with us and with the public."
The performers will be wearing country or western attire, and patrons are encouraged to do the same. Tickets can be purchased through the WNCC Foundation Office in person at the John N. Harms Center or by calling 308-630-6550. Tickets are also available to purchase online at wncc.edu/performingarts.