December 1, 2014 - Get into the holiday spirit with a free Christmas concert by the Knoxville Community Band at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, at Bearden Middle School.

Selections will include favorites such as Handel's "Hallelujah Chorus" from "The Messiah" and Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride."

"The Bells of Christmas" features a medley of Christmas tunes, including "The Bell Carol," "Silver Bells," "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day" and "Jingle Bells."

Irving Berlin, who began his musical career as an itinerant singer, paid attention to what audiences liked to hear. He wrote some 1,500 songs during his 60-year career, including scores for Broadway shows and Hollywood films. Eight of his songs were nominated for Academy Awards. The band will perform three of his tunes, including the perennial favorites "Happy Holiday" and "White Christmas," in a medley called "An Irving Berlin Christmas."

The band is directed by Larry Hicks, retired band director of Heritage High School in Maryville. Mark Boring, also retired from the Blount County school system, is the assistant band director.

The band is comprised of instrumentalists in the community who like to play, and most have been playing since grammar school. Some players are band directors who like to take time out from their own bands to keep in practice on their major instruments, and others are professionals in the community who learned to play in school and don't want to lose their expertise. All are volunteers, and all play because they love music.

The band is sponsored by the Knoxville Parks and Recreation Department. The group plays year round at festivals and other special events and performs a series of outdoor concerts during the summer. New members with expertise on any band instruments are welcome. Practices are from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays at Northwest Middle School.