The Concert Band of the Southwest, conducted by David Kendrick, will present its "Spring Soloist Concert" on Wednesday, March 14, 2017, at the Cobre High School Auditorium. The concert begins at 7:00 pm; doors open at 6:30 pm. Seating is open and all seats are free. Donations for our sheet music library and expenses are gratefully accepted. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, so if you need a donor letter for your taxes, just let us know.

The Concert Band of the Southwest will feature guest soloist on alto saxophone, Roman Chip. Mr. Chip is a graduate of Cobre High School and has been an influential figure in the education and jazz scene in southern New Mexico over the past 30 years. A graduate of New Mexico State University, with both a Bachelor's Degree in Music Education and a Masters in Performance, Roman has worked with the Gadsden and Las Cruces Public Schools for the past 26 years shaping and molding the creative minds of countless students. During his tenure with the public schools, Mr. Chip maintained a private saxophone studio from which several students continued on to professional careers in music.

Roman has continued to perform regularly in several jazz ensembles in the area including the El Paso Jazz Collective, Note Works, Eclectic Jazz Orchestra and his own Border Jazz Quintet. He has also performed with the Las Cruces Symphony, El Paso Symphony and has been a guest artist with the New Mexico State University Jazz Ensembles. Mr. Chip has performed with groups such as The Four Tops, Temptations, Linda Ronstadt, Gladys Knight, O'Jays and James Ingram among others.

Mr. Chip has served as a clinician, soloist and adjudicator, in New Mexico, West Texas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Central America. He retired after 26 years of service to the public schools but continues to serve as a music educator and performer.

The Concert Band of the Southwest performance will include: "To Challenge the Sky and Heaven Above" by Robert W. Smith, "Tennesee Salute" by Jay Dawson, "Thunder and Lightning" by Johann Strauss, arranged by Larry Daehn, "Peacemaker March" by Karl King, "Persuasion" by Sammy Nestico, featuring Mr. Chip on alto saxophone, accompanied by the band. Mr. Chip will also perform a selection by himself to be determined.

As always, performances by the Concert Band of the Southwest are free. If you play an instrument, even if it hasn't been for years, please come to play with us. For more information, contact Conductor David Kendrick by phone at (575) 388-7874 or by email at concertbandofthesw@gmail.com.