Band donates over $1,000 to AHS Band Boosters for instrumental music programs at Atascadero High

ATASCADERO — The Atascadero Community Band summoned a crowd of fiendishly excited fans to their spooktacular, monstrous concert at the Atascadero Bible Church on Oct. 27, enchanting an audience that may have included some very spirited non-humans. 

A curious T-Rex was seen dancing through the aisles during “Jurassic Park” — though, whether it was a mirage or something even more scaly and colossal remains a mystery. The hauntingly fun afternoon featured spine-tingling tunes such as “The Time Warp” and “Frankenstein,” along with larger-than-life classics, “Phantom of the Opera,” and “Jekyll and Hyde,” culminating in the crowd favorite, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest.” The audience rose from their seats in a resounding monstrous standing ovation, ending the concert on an fang-tastic high note. 

The concert was masterfully conducted by Nick Waldron of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, who fearlessly tamed the ensemble of musical monsters, transforming the ghoulishly talented group into a harmonic horde of harmony. The real treat of the concert? Proceeds from this harrowing performance will benefit Atascadero High School Band Boosters — a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting the growth and success of the instrumental music programs at Atascadero High School. The band was wickedly delighted to present a mammoth grant in the amount of $1,155 to the boosters, representing donations from the audience’s generous (and maybe even ghostly) contributions. 

Fear not, the Atascadero Community Band will return for one final indoor concert as it welcomes the holiday season with a fun sing-a-long, and many holiday favorites at 2:30 p.m. on Dec. 8 at the Pavilion on the Lake in Atascadero. Please mark your calendars, prepare your holiday finest, and join the band as their guests for some ho-ho-holiday music and delicious refreshments. For more information on the band, their schedule, and even joining the band (clarinets are always needed), visit the band’s website at atascaderoband.org

Feature Image: Nate Conrad, Atascadero High band director, gratefully accepts the check for $1,155 to the AHS Band Boosters. Conrad is surrounded by Atascadero Community Band members, including students from AMS and AHS who will directly benefit from the donation. Photo Courtesy of Joyce Rabellino