Desert Overture

The LGBT concert band plans its second Christmas concert, which will be staged in Phoenix and Glendale.

By Glenn Gullickson

Desert Overture

Strike Up The Band

Desert Overture is building a holiday tradition with Christmas concert

A selection of popular music is the key to putting together successful holiday concert, according to Scott Helms, artistic director of Desert Overture.

By performing a holiday concert for the second year, the LGBT concert band is building some seasonal traditions as it continues to grow.

The concert, titled "Holiday Reflections," will be presented Dec. 2 in Glendale and Dec. 11 in Phoenix.

Helms promised a mix of secular and religious music when the group of about 50 players performs for a show that's one of the highlights of the band's season.

"It's a really fun program," Helms said. "Everyone enjoys it because it's familiar."

So among the 12 to 14 songs the band will play will be some holiday standards like "Sleigh Ride." "It's one of those tunes that puts everyone in the holiday spirit," Helms said.

Another highlight is likely to be "A Stowaway in Santa's Sleigh," a treatment of Christmas carols that uses a video production to show what Santa encounters as he travels the countries of the world on Christmas Eve.

Helms said Santa himself could be making an appearance during the holiday concert.

Like last year, Desert Overture will perform its winter show at Glendale First United Methodist during the holiday celebration Glendale Glitters.

"That's an entirely different audience," Helms said. "It brings in family, kids, people who might not otherwise seek us out."

The Glendale concert is in line with band's mission statement, which has as a goal to reach outside the LGBT community to build bridges. "We've been very warmly received," Helms said, noting that the Glendale holiday concert could become a regular gig.

The concert will also be performed at Central High School in Phoenix, a venue that offers an auditorium that Helms said he would like to make Desert Overture's regular home for local concerts.

With the help of a music selection committee, Helms said he started planning for the holiday concert about six months in advance of the performance. Rehearsals started in September.

While Christmas music is popular, Helms acknowledged that there are people — even musicians — who don't care for it. He said a few members of the band take a break from the group during the fall to avoid the holiday concert.

Fireside Christmas

Building the band

Recruiting for Desert Overture occurs at LGBT festivals and by word of mouth, Helms said.

The band's membership is mostly men, but Helms said he's working to increase the number of women players. The group also includes bisexual and transgender individuals as well as straight allies, he said.

To join the band, members have to be at least 18 years old. Helms said there are many members in their early 20s and others ranging in age to the 70s.

Anyone can audition for the band in what Helms called a "low pressure" process. Players are asked to have at least one year of high school band experience.

Helms said most new members are picking up their instrument for the first time for years.

"When they audition, the first thing out of their mouths is ‘It's been such a long time,'" Helms said. "But it's like riding a bicycle. People are shocked how fast it comes back."

Ralph Potter said he hadn't played his bass clarinet since he was in high school before he joined Desert Overture last year after he attended a band performance.

"I was so impressed with the quality. I just wanted to be part of it," Potter said. He was a featured performer in the spring concert and has become treasurer of the group.

The band has weekly two-hour practices on Thursday nights. The group takes August off, with the exception of those preparing for a summer concert by solos and small groups.

Helms said the group has lots of members who play saxaphone, but could use additional players on percussion, trumpet, clarinets, tuba and string bass.

Members of Desert Overture gain more than musical experience, as friendships among the players develop. "I've seen relationships happen," Helms said. "It's really a life changing experience."

Daniel Lopez, who plays trumpet, said the band satisfies his "music hunger" and connects him with like-minded people.

"The best way to describe it is like a second coming out," Lopez said. "It's kind of the icing on the cake that some of the best friendships I've made are with the band."

Band's past and future

Desert Overture grew out of the Philharmonic Ensemble, a concert band that was originally formed in 2008 as part of Grand Canyon Performing Arts. Helms said the group had about 35 players when members broke away to form Desert Overture in the summer of 2010.

Desert Overture performed its first concert in August 2010, its first Christmas show last year and then a summer concert.

Band members also marched in the Phoenix Pride parade, performed at AIDS Walk Phoenix and entertained at the recent 1 Voice LGBT Community Center gala. Some band members play with Metropolitan Men's Chorus concerts.

In October, Helms guest conducted a group of 260 players attending the National Lesbian and Gay Band Association at their concert in Seattle. The group played the soundtrack during the screening of the silent movie It Takes A Belch to Ruin a Wedding, a film that was produced by local band members.

Desert Overture plans a special concert on April 6 to be staged at ASU West. Helms said the theme will focus on positive social change in the U.S. military, including the repeal of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the advancement of women in the armed forces.

Next June, Helms said Desert Overture will be part of "We Are One," a first-ever combined concert with other local LGBT performance groups. -E

VITAL STATISTICS

Desert Overture presents "Holiday Reflections"
Glendale: 7 p.m. Dec. 2,
Glendale First United Methodist Church,
7102 N. 58th St.
Phoenix: 3 p.m. Dec. 11,
Central High School Auditorium,
4535 N. Central Ave.
Free admission; donations accepted
www.desertoverture.org