WCJC band to showcase sacred music in concert
By MIKE KONVICKA mkonvicka@journal-spectator.com

Photo courtesy Wharton County Junior College The Wharton County Junior College Pioneer band will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. on April 10 in the Horton Foote Theater.

The Wharton County Junior College Pioneer Band will perform a concert on April 10 in the Horton Foote Theatre.

The theme for the show is Sacred music.

"They are not traditionally sacred hymns. They are special arrangements," WCJC band director Joe Waldrop said. He has been at the college for four years.

Waldrop grew up in Emory, located in East Texas near Canton.

"I love it here," said Waldrop.

"I've taught high school bands for 14 years and this is far better."

The band has been preparing for the concert since January.

"They're enjoying it and have been playing these songs forever," said Waldrop.

There are 25 members of the band and they come from Wharton, El Campo, Needville, Eagle Lake, Rosenberg, Ganado

and Bay City." "They are spread out pretty well," said Waldrop,

The band has been working on two special arrangements.

"Amazing Grace" will be played in a Dixieland style.

"It's been pretty difficult to get a hold of," said Waldrop.

They will also do a Halleluia Chorus.

"That's been pretty difficult too."

There'll be a big variety of instruments heard throughout the evening.

"We'll have saxophones, flutes clarinets, trumpets, trombones, tubas and baritone," said Waldrop.

The show starts at 7:30 p.m. and general admission is $4.

The band will also play for a couple of high schools before the spring semester ends.