Los Alamos Community Winds will host its final concert of its 2025 season at 7 p.m. Saturday at Crossroads Bible Church. Courtesy/LACW
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
An old friend will help Los Alamos Community Winds conclude its 2025 season.
The concert, “Blue and Greens”, will be held 7 p.m. May 10 at Crossroads Bible Church. It will feature Dr. Bentley Shellahamer, retired assistant dean at the Florida State University College of Music.
Los Alamos Community Winds Musical and Artistic Director Ted Vives said he has known Shellahamer for more than 40 years, adding he considers Shellahamer a mentor and friend. Vives said they met while he was doing his undergraduate work at Florida State and has wanted to collaborate with Shellahamer ever since becoming part of the Community Winds.
“It’s wonderful,” Vives said, to be able to work with Shellahamer again.
He added they had collaborated 20 years ago when Vives joined Shellahamer’s ensemble as a guest conductor during a tour in Australia.
“It’s always very special to work with someone who has had a big influence on you…,” Vives said.
Saturday’s concert will be special for many reasons, not only because it is a chance to work with an old friend, but it also will showcase some great music including two premieres, Vives said.
As the title implies, the program pertains to colors although Vives said it is not always a direct, obvious reference. Some pieces do relate to nature.
He highlighted two pieces: “March from Symphonic Metamorphosis of Theme”, which he said has a lot of energy and it is also a favorite of Shellahamer, and “Blue Shades,” which Vives said is a little unique in that the composer throws everything into it.
“It’s just a blast to conduct,” Vives said.
In continuing to celebrate its silver anniversary, the Community Winds will play pieces from past concerts, too.
Looking at the Community Wind’s music selections, “We always like to have a variety of music – different style, different themes,” Vives said. “Some of the pieces I’ve come across recently. When I go to conventions and conferences, I’ll hear a piece performed and I’ll think, that is a good piece to perform with the Community Winds.”
Plus, Saturday’s concert will feature several premieres on the program.
For instance, “Kadujo” will make its Northern New Mexico premiere and Vives is premiering his new work, “Mother Earth – Variations on a Tewa Melody”. To produce this piece, Vives said he consulted with the San Ildefonso tribal council and governor. He said he was greatly informed by them to create a piece that isn’t trite or cliché.
“I’m very honored to have the group play it … and present this new piece as a world premiere performance,” Vives said.
The concert will also feature solo performances, he said.
“It’s another way to showcase not only their individual expertise on their instruments but also share that music creation in a different way with the ensemble,” Vives said. “The individual has that moment to shine while the ensemble accompanies them.”
There is a third reason why this concert will be special; Vives said scholarships will be awarded to the Community Winds’ two graduating seniors.
Looking back on its anniversary season, Vives said, “I think we have been able to revisit our past and at the same time move forward and put on a concert that we hope the community will enjoy listening to. Because I feel we are finally out from underneath the pall of COVID and we are back to the level of performance we can handle. We’ve played some pretty challenging music and new music that has never been performed before or performed here before.”
So, everyone is encouraged to come and attend this special concert, Vives said.
“I hope the community turns out for this.”
Admission is free but there will be a suggested donation of $15.
