ALAMOSA — The SLV Community Band will perform a spring concert in tribute to long-time music educator, Linwood Warwick, on Thursday, May 22 at 7 p.m., in ASU’s Leon Memorial Hall. The concert is free and open to the public.   

As a tribute to Warwick, the program for the May 22 concert will open with Leroy Anderson’s “Trumpeter’s Lullaby,” and will conclude with Frank Ticheli’s “Rest” – a composition commissioned by a family to honor the memory of their father who passed away.  

“The intent of these bookend tributes is to both say goodbye to our friend and colleague, and to honor the memory and subsequent legacy of one of the most consequential music educators to have taught in the San Luis Valley,” said Kerry Hart, Director of the SLV Community Band. 

Unique to any performance the band has done to this point, Hart is asking the audience to stand with the band members as they rise during the final measures of the last number, hold their applause, and remain standing in a moment of silence with the band members to acknowledge the loss and express the reverence for one who has had an enormous impact on the musical and educational life of our community.      

In addition to the bookend tributes to Lin Warwick, the SLV Community Band will be performing “Tulsa” (a symphonic portrait in oil) by Don Gillis, “First Suite in Eb” by Gustav Holst, “The Sinfonians” by Clifton Williams, and a band transcription of “Italian in Algiers” by Gioachino Rossini.  

“This is one of the most musically challenging concerts the SLV Community Band has done,” said Hart.  “However, there will be some lighter moments, such as Sweet Trombone Rag with all the expected smears and glissandos that can be done with the trombone slides,” Hart added.     

The band is an important part of the musical culture of the San Luis Valley with a tradition of excellence dating back to the approximate time of the founding of the City of Alamosa in 1878. 

“Because this particular concert is a tribute to Lin Warwick, the quality of the band has been particularly enhanced for this concert with several of Mr. Warwick’s former students joining the band for this special tribute,” Hart said. Warwick passed away in January of 2025. 

Support for the spring concert is thanks to contributions from SLV Federal Bank, Frontier Bank, SLV Health, the ASU Music Department, the Alamosa School District, and numerous individuals. 

The SLV Community Band is open to any musician with band experience. Current participants range in age from middle school students through retirement age. Any musician interested in becoming a member of the SLV Community Band is encouraged to contact Kerry Hart, Director of the SLV Community Band, at 719-587-3342.