15th Anniversary Concert - Praise

On Dec. 12, in the San Marcos High School auditorium, the Prime Time Band performed its 15th annual concert for the benefit of the community.

Prime Time Band was started in 1995 as a grass-roots program for men and women over age 50 by George Pendergast and bandmaster J.B. Vander Ark. They pulled their resources together and started what is now a professional-sounding band.

In the audience that afternoon, my wife and I were sitting behind a mother, father and proud grandfather. The mother was holding a baby boy. Even though there were times when the infant was bothered by the sound of some of the louder instruments, he eventually became accustomed to the music. His mother began to even show the baby how to applaud.

The baby symbolized for me the start of the Prime Time Band 15 years ago. Here was an idea that started at a very basic level without government aid or inducement. This very wonderful achievement is America at its best.

Both conductors Mr. Vander Ark and Jeff Peterson captured the audience with their pleasant demeanor and humor. It was truly an inspiring and uplifting program for members of the band as well as the audience. It is what Americans are all about.

Congratulations to the versatile conductors and the members of the band for their continued excellence in making music for their own enjoyment and for our community.