Community Concert season debuts with style

By

Times-Journal Writer

The Selma Community Concert Association debuted its new season Tuesday night with a tribute to the Henry Mancini Orchestra at J.A. Pickard Auditorium.

A nearly packed house spent the evening reminiscing about their favorite movie theme songs and popular dance tunes with the help of band leader Jimmy Maxwell.

Maxwell led his big band through a number of popular tunes from Mancini’s repertoire, including largely recognizable classics such as “Peter Gunn,” “Pink Panther,” and “Love Story.”

The Mancini tribute band also paid homage the composer’s popular dance tunes such as “Papa Loves Mambo.”

In between musical numbers, Maxwell gave the audience a little history about the famous composer’s life and the inspirations behind some of his songs.

“We had a really great turnout,” said Doris Holland, President of the Selma Community Concert Association. “I was really worried at first because of the storm, but people still came out and seemed to have a good time.”

Holland said the band did a “wonderful job” entertaining the Selma audience, especially when they played songs that everyone seemed to recognize.

“My favorite tunes had to be ‘Pink Panther’ and ‘Peter Gunn’,” Holland said. “I really appreciate everyone who supports us,” Holland said.

Having these concerts is important to Selma, Holland says, because they help to promote industry and tourism.

“The three things industry looks for when deciding to locate to a city are schools, churches, and the arts,” she said.