It’s summer, so it’s easy to think that the music scene here in Los Alamos revolves around the Gordon’s Concerts at Ashley Pond, which it does. Sort of. You can always get more info about the Summer Concert Series, but you probably have no idea just how many ways there are to get musical here in Los Alamos. And our musicality goes back a looooong way! All the way to 1944 in fact!

From Rosemary O’Connor’s history of the Los Alamos Symphony Orchestra:

During the war years Los Alamos had no organized instrumental group. The residents satisfied their musical hunger with many string quartets, piano quintets, and other such chamber groups. There was also, at that time, a very fine Jazz band which entertained the community weekly.

From January 1945 through 1946, there was a group formed under the direction of Robert Dike, a french hornist. He also wrote special scores for the instrumentation available. The group was comprised of military and civilian personnel. The funding came from the “Special Services” of the Army and was administered by Captain Hugh Martin. Some of the people who performed in this group under Bob Dike were Al and Diz Graves, Moll Flanders, Eric Jette, Robert Richtmyer, Frank Osvath, Frank Bice, Ken Jeusen, Harold Fishbein, Hermond Lacey and Don Lovelace.

Isn’t is amazing to think of the amount of trouble folks went to back then for entertainment? I sometimes feel as if they’d laugh to hear us complain about a lack of “things to do” nowadays! At one point, the Los Alamos and Santa Fe Symphony groups tried to combine to form a larger orchestra. Unfortunately, the transportation up and down “the hill” available in the fifties made that impossible. But the relationship is still strong. And the original spirit of musicians playing for the love of music as a way to share in community has continued forward into more musical organizations than you might imagine!

Los Alamos Symphony Orchestra

These days the Symphony Orchestra includes musicians that are both local and also from Santa Fe. Many of our players belong to the Santa Fe Community Orchestra as well as LASO. LASO welcomes student involvement and hosts guests conductors and soloists from all over. Each year, the Symphony Orchestra awards a scholarship to young musicians graduating from LAHS in an effort to promote music and help the community.

LASO also has a strong connection to the Los Alamos Choral Society, which has been a musical voice locally since 1944. The groups perform a joint concert at least once a year. Whether you like to play or enjoy listening, it might be time to check out the LASO schedule.

Coro de Cámara

Technically a “spin off” of the Los Alamos Choral Society, Coro de Cámara is a premier chamber chorus that performs music from a multitude of eras, styles, and conductors. Singers are from Northern New Mexico, but the group began in Los Alamos and showcases a wealth of local talent. Spots in the chorus are open to auditions and the group performs regularly throughout Santa Fe and Los Alamos.

One exciting bonus of the Santa Fe/Los Alamos relationship is the availability of Santa Fe Opera apprentices for some of the performances. The opportunity to hear and to perform with such talent is usually hard to come by in out of the way places like Los Alamos, but culture is something we do rather well in the Secret City and if you’d like to see Coro de Cámara perform, check out their website for the latest schedule.

The Hill Stompers

Did you play a band instrument for a semester or two in school? Are you looking for an awesome group of folks who just like to play music and enjoy life? Would you be surprised if I told you those two things are all that’s required for you to join the Hill Stompers?

This award winning jazz band ensemble formed in October 2000 just to have fun. They play public venues like bars and parties, participate in parades, and provide music for local events too! Even if you’re just learning an instrument for the first time, you can find a spot in the Hill Stompers.

Los Alamos Community Winds

As I mentioned above, there is a long history of musical ensemble groups here in Los Alamos. As Rosemary O’Connor’s history of the Symphony Orchestra reminds us, many of those original groups were blends of military and civilian musicians who just wanted to play! The Los Alamos Community Winds dates back to those groups from the 1940’s as well!

For those of you who grew up playing in the elementary, middle school, and high school bands, you probably remember Mr. McDonald. Jan McDonald was a conductor in the 70s, 80s, & 90s who often invited students to join the Los Alamos Concert Band. Under his direction, the group played civic concerts during the summer, especially at the Fourth of July Fireworks Celebration. The Community Winds group is the continuation of that tradition. Musicians and music lovers from our local area are invited to join the Community Winds as a player or as an enthusiast! Check their news page for the latest concert information or to find out how to be involved!

I hope you’ve been bookmarking websites and planning your social calendar for the next several months as I run through the amazing list of things to do, see, and experience here in Los Alamos. Whether you’re buying or selling real estate or just chatting about this amazing place we call home, give me a call! I’d love to talk to you!