Published: July 02, 2009 09:32 am      

Summer in the Park: Hill Country Band promises patriotic tunes

San Marcos — When director Al Corley began selecting songs for tonight’s concert, he had a specific goal in mind for himself and the Hill Country Community Band.

“I chose music that celebrates the American spirit and the 4th of July holiday,” Corley said. “There are patriotic pieces, marches, of course, jazz tunes and movie scores, all of which are energetic and exciting. We hope to create an uplifting evening of family entertainment.”

The 45-member community band will be the guest at tonight’s Summer in the Park concert beginning at 7:30 p.m. at San Marcos Plaza Park. Featured performers include Paula Corley, clarinet soloist on Gershwin’s “But Not for Me,” and Darrell Anglin, the featured vocalist on “God Bless America.”

The Hill Country Community Band is made up of adults and students ranging from ages 15 to 80. It was formed in 1991 and has remained continually active since.

“Some of the players have had careers in music, but most are simply enthusiasts who enjoyed their school band experience and want to keep playing,” Corley said.

The Wimberley-based group performs all over Hays County for events such as the Butterfly Day at the Emily Ann Theatre, Wimberley Market Days and for civic events in Dripping Springs and Wimberley. They also participate in the Festival of Community Bands held each spring in Austin.

Corley is a career music educator, obtaining degrees from Baylor, Southern Methodist University and the University of North Texas. He served as band director at Plano High School for 15 years, before completing his Ph.D and joining the music education faculty at North Texas.

Corley then became director of bands at Mars Hill College near Asheville, N.C., but says he had a difficult time living in snow. So they moved back to Texas, where he accepted a position as an adjunct professor in the music education department at Texas State University.

“My wife is a professional clarinetist and fills her time with teaching, playing and serving as an educational advisor for two clarinet companies,” Corley said. “We discovered the HCCB on the Internet shortly after moving to Wimberley, and we immediately joined up.”

He says being a part of the band is a great way to provide a service to local communities.

“Every community needs programs that bring individuals together, regardless of age, gender, religion or political persuasion. Music is a great medium for such programs... It may be a small thing, but I feel the band’s performances are an opportunity for us all to ‘give back’ to the community.”