Hardin-Simmons Concert Band Celebrates National Hispanic Heritage Month

(ABILENE, Texas)–The Hardin-Simmons School of Music’s Concert Band celebrated National Hispanic Heritage Month with its recent concert titled Fiesta. Held in Behrens Auditorium on October 22, the concert was filled with Spanish and Latin American influences.

National Hispanic Heritage Month began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 but was eventually extended to a full month in 1988 and has been celebrated annually from Sept. 15-Oct. 15 with festivals, art shows, and various community gatherings. It begins on Sept. 15 to celebrate the anniversary of independence for the Latin American countries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.

Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands, Bill Harden directs the HSU Concert Band.

Following the first piece, a paso doble called Pepita Greus, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Bands, Bill Harden introduced a guest conductor to the Behrens stage. A colleague from Permian High School where Mr. Harden taught for 30 years, Mr. Charles Nail was invited to conduct the Hardin-Simmons Concert Band for the second piece, Fandango. When on stage, Nail stated how honored he was to be able to conduct for the HSU Concert Band as well as the importance of music. “We were just talking about the importance of music and that is just joy–actually just joy in making music and I hope we’ve done that in all the years that I’ve taught,” said Nail.

The final piece of the concert features soloists. Lauren Haire performed a solo on oboe while Emily Hark played solo on E-flat clarinet. According to Mr. Harden, these instruments are not usually the ones featured with solos.

To see the whole concert online, visit the Hardin-Simmons Facebook Page.