Video: The Morris Plains Community Band & Friends
By Kevin Coughlin
Wednesday’s program included the theme from Mission Impossible. But it was more like Mission Accomplished for the Morris Plains Community Band, which gave its first holiday concert (we think) since the Eisenhower administration.
Larry Ripley re-formed the volunteer ensemble about 14 months ago. The idea, he explained during the show, is for players of all ages to have fun making music together. Which is what blacksmith Larry Monahan apparently had in mind when he founded the band in 1888.
Monahan presided over the group until his death in 1940, and the band played on until 1953. Things were pretty quiet in the “Community of Caring” until Ripley picked up the baton.
The band closed its show at the Borough School with a hearty rendition of the Hallelujah Chorus from Handel’s Messiah.
A large contingent of area choristers answered Ripley’s call. (See video above.) The conductor expressed hopes that this concert becomes a holiday tradition.
Encore!
MORE HOLIDAY COVERAGE FROM GREATER MORRISTOWN
