Neighbor News
Annual Holiday Band Concert Dedicated to fallen Band Director
Westminster Municipal Band's 11th Annual holiday concert pays homage to director, Sandra Lynn "Sandy" Miller
By Timothy Cox
for PATCH Westminster
WESTMINSTER, MD -- In the midst of familiar holiday tunes, members of the Westminster Municipal Band felt a sense of somber melancholy, after experiencing the recent death of their longtime band director, Sandra "Sandy" Miller.
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The revered bandleader died of cancer-related symptoms, after experiencing remissions and setbacks in recent years. She was 60. She's survived by her husband of 38 years, David Allen Miller. Mrs. Miller lived a life's commitment to musicality, and helped train and mentor various musicians of all ages, throughout Carroll County and greater Baltimore. She graduated from Westminter High School in 1982.
While preparing for the 2024 11th Annual Community Concert, Mrs. Miller rehearsed the Westminster Band on a weekly basis, practicing several numbers that were performed throughout the Monday, Dec. 2 concert. Band president Greg Wantz, addressed the concert audience explaining that the band voted to honor Mrs. Miller's wishes - that the band continue to perform its scheduled commitments throughout the 2024 holiday season, including annual Christmas concerts and holiday parades.
Find out what's happening in Westminsterfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
In lieu of Mrs. Miller's absence, two members of the Westminster Band stepped-up to direct the band during rehearsals and at the concert. They include band secretary, Debbie Paulsgrove and assistant director Ellen Nash-West. Ben Messinger, band director of the Littlestown (Pa.) Concert Band, also provided support during rehearsals and at the Dec. 2 holiday concert.
The Westminster Municipal Band was formed in 1893. At 132 years of service, the band is considered one of the oldest, still-active marching units in the nation.
The "Sounds of the Season" concert went on without a hitch and generated several compliments from attendees via social media commentary like Facebook and X, formerly Twitter.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: Article author, Timothy Cox, is also a member of the Westminster Municipal Band - and holds a chair in the percussion/drum section. For new story ideas, contact Mr. Cox at teacawks2@gmail.com).
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