The IUS Concert Band held their rescheduled Winter Pop Concert “The Good Old Days” on Sunday, Feb. 21.

The concert was rescheduled from its original performance that was canceled because of winter weather on Sunday, Feb. 14.

As the slender grey-haired conductor approached the stage, the audience went silent and all instruments were raised.

Donald McMahel, concert director, said the pieces that were chosen were meant to be timeless classics and meant to feel nostalgic.

The music ranged from swing music to a medley of pieces from “The Sound of Music,” which some audience members mentioned they enjoyed the most.

“It’s a toss-up on which one I enjoyed the most, but I’d have to say ‘The Sound of Music’ medley,” Sharon Nale, 57, said. “I enjoyed the concert because I feel like it had familiar songs for all ages, which made it a very energetic and moving concert.”

Nale’s husband, Steve, plays bassoon in the band, which is one of her reasons for attending the concerts.

A lot of other families attended to see their loved ones play, but a few have other reasons.

“My wife and I like the band concerts very much, but we always attend any IUS concert,” George Karman, 80, said.

During the concert, McMahel said he was surprised by his associate director, Nan Moore. Moore invited McMahel back on stage to wish him happy birthday and a card signed by the band.

He joked with the audience about his upcoming birthday.

“I’m 80 years old and the best gift I could receive is still being here,” McMahel said.

As the audience erupted with laughter, he said the actual best gift he could receive is giving the audience the gift of their music.

McMahel continued to keep the audience involved whether it was between pieces or during them.

He asked who actually remembered the good old days and the bands he was referring to, and the majority of the audience began to raise their hands or cheer.

His final request was that the audience takes a chance to clap along with the final piece. He wanted them to share the bands energy as they played “The Crosely March.”

The piece began slowly with a more melodic sound, but, once the marching band sound came out, the audience began clapping loudly right in time with the tune.

The loud clapping continued after the march ended as the audience gave a standing ovation.

By CHASTITY HILGERT

Staff Writer

chilgert@umail.iu.edu