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The band was joined by a very special guest performer at the Winter Music concert December 9, 2011 at the Cary Senior Center in Bond Park. WRAL's Greg Fishel, the Triangle area's favorite weather man (and occasional tuba player), performed with the band and narrated a delightful adaptation of Clement Moore's Twas the Night Before Christmas by American composer Newell H. Long.

Wikipedia says that Moore's "poem, which has been called 'arguably the best-known verses ever written by an American', is largely responsible for the conception of Santa Claus from the mid-nineteenth century to today, including his physical appearance, the night of his visit, his mode of transportation, the number and names of his reindeer, as well as the tradition that he brings toys to children."

Over the years there have been many musical arrangements that serve as a background to a reading of Clement's poem. But in the 1949 band setting by Newell Long, the spoken verse and music are intricately interwoven with original melodies, snippets of musical phrases from other popular seasonal works, and the narration incorporated as another musical instrument. It is by far the most delightful rendition available today.

We are greatly honored that Mr. Fishel - Greg to all that know him - took the time from his busy schedule to perform this work with us this year. It takes a musician with a special sense of timing and humor to perform this "right", and he certainly has that. He also played tuba on other numbers in the concert. Thank you, Greg!

Playing to a capacity audience at the Vienna - City of Dreams concert held Friday evening February 11, 2011 in the ballroom of the Cary Senior Center in Bond Park, the band created the atmosphere of a Viennese Ball, eschewing the usual green-coat Town Band uniforms and appearing in elegant tux and ball gowns. They were later joined by dancers in full costume from the Little German Band and Dancers. The dancers waltzed away as the band played Viennese waltzes. Toward the end, some waltzed with young people from the audience as a few older couples from the audience joined in. Another highlight of the evening was the presentation of a portion of the "Akordeon Lektur" by 88-year old Herr Profesor Doktor Ingenieur Hans Stadelmier, recreating his performances from 30 years ago. He closed by playing on the accordian the title tune for the concert, Vienna, the City of Dreams. It was an elegant concert, enthusiastically enjoyed by those who were fortunate enough to attend.

CW2 Russell J. Houser, U.S. Army Bandmaster and Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division "All American" Band was the scheduled speaker at the Cary Town Band's July 3rd Independence Eve celebration at Sertoma Amphitheatre in Bond Park, Cary, NC. His presentation, entitled "Band in Sand", would recount his band's recent deployment in Afghanistan providing music for soldiers stationed there and working with Afghani musicians, sharing music and traditions with their American counterparts.

A fire at Fort Bragg Friday afternoon July 2nd destroyed the band's rehearsal location including all their instruments, uniforms, and their entire music library. Because his band was to provide a major portion of Fort Bragg's July 4th celebration, two days later, bandmaster Houser's priorities immediately and completely understandably shifted from being a guest speaker at the CTB concert to finding music, instruments, and all the infrastructure required for his band to meet their concert obligations at Fort Bragg. Within minutes after the fire was reported, Houser had contacted CTB director Stuart Holoman to explain the situation and begin finding needed music and instruments. By the afternoon of July 3rd Houser reported his surprise and sincere gratitude for the outpouring of assistance offered from both military and area community sources. He expressed his regret for having to miss the CTB concert, where he was also going to have the unusual opportunity to play his French horn and not just conduct. As schedules and assignments allow, he has already been invited to speak at next year's Independence Eve celebration by the CTB.

The time allotted for his presentation was filled by adding an additional piece not included in the original CTB program - Pirates of the Caribbean Suite by Klaus Badelt, music from the movie The Curse of the Black Pearl. There was a "song & dance" explanation added as to how "Pirates of the Caribbean" actually complimented the concert theme - Band in Sand - something about a "band of pirates on sandy beaches of Caribbean islands".

If circumstances allow, the 82nd Airborne Division "All American" Band will present a joint concert themed In the Army Now with the Cary Town Band at 7:30 PM on Friday evening September 10, 2010, at Sertoma Amphitheatre in Cary's Bond Park.