The Hamilton County Community Band is ready to get you in the Christmas spirit with a concert on Dec. 7 at Hamilton Heights. (Photo provided)
Posted By: The Reporter November 24, 2025
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Conductor Brian Swart and the Hamilton County Community Band (HCCB) are busy preparing for their annual Christmas concert.
Hamilton Heights High School will play host to the program at 6 p.m. Dec. 7 in the auditorium. This annual tradition is always a great way to kick off the holiday season with family and friends.
The concert is free to the public and will feature familiar holiday gems like Robert Allen’s “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays,” “Feliz Navidad” arranged for concert band by Chris Sharp, and Gustav Holst’s “A Holst Christmas.” The program will wrap up with “Stars and Stripes for Christmas,” a Robert E. Foster arrangement based on the famous John Philip Sousa march.
Two guest conductors will take the podium this year. Mark Sands, a recently retired music educator from Westfield Washington Schools will conduct Steve Reistetter’s “The Eighth Candle: Prayer and Dance for Hanukkah.” Charlie Hartman, who recently graduated with a master’s degree in music performance from Ball State University will conduct “Selections from Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas.”
HCCB, with its more than 80 volunteer members, was formed on Feb. 25, 2018, in a meeting between current director Brian Swart, Eric Thornbury, and Marc Feeney. These three men saw a need for a true community concert band in Hamilton County.
“Our mission is to have a ‘FUN’ atmosphere that is inviting to all musicians,” Swart said.
HCCB performs multiple concerts in and around the Hamilton County area. Rehearsals are held weekly on Sunday evenings at Hamilton Heights Middle School.
Please consider supporting this community endeavor on Sunday, Dec. 7 in the Hamilton Heights High School Auditorium at 6 p.m. Bring the family and grandkids and kick off your holiday season.
A free will offering will be collected to help with the purchase of new music and equipment. HCCB also welcomes corporate sponsors. Information can be found at hamiltoncountycommunityband.com.
