Special to The Hays Daily News

The Pride of the Prairie Orchestra presents their "Poinsettia Pops" concert at 3:30 p.m. Dec. 6 at the Colby Community College Frahm Theater, with Andrew Salvador as conductor.

The orchestra was organized in 1986 under the direction of Bill Beck, a retired school music director. It was, and is, composed of volunteer musicians ranging from school age to retired individuals. Musicians travel to Colby from a wide geographical area representing communities in northwest Kansas and northeast Colorado, including Weskan, Goodland, Oakley, Hoxie, Colby, Grinnell, Burlington, Colo., Quinter, Levant and Monument. Every Monday evening from September through April, 40 to 50 musicians gather to rehearse. At least three concerts, and often four, are performed each year.

Since area schools do not offer an orchestra program, this has met a need for students, as well as adults, who play a stringed instrument. It offers a cultural outlet for musicians, as well as audiences in the area and adds an element of culture often lacking in small communities. Pride of the Prairie Orchestra is proud to be a part of the Western Plains Arts Association program and also is supported by the Friends of the Orchestra and the Kansas Arts Commission.

Participating in the concert are Josiah, Kendra and Mary Beth Akers, Birkley Barnes, Jonathan Bosserman, Leona Dickman, John Dollar, Emily Dumler, Donna Engel, Bruce Frahm, Noelle Gallagher, Dr. Steve Golden, Annie Hengen, Dana Inloes, Eileen Jones, the Rev. Bob Kelly, Haley Kistler, Leanna and Nick Larmer, Shannon Leebrick, Jeong-Ah Lee, Carol Ann McGuire, Mary Beth Myers, Hansie Pretorius, Bev and Ed Rucker, Andy Salvador, Mary Shoaff, Rochelle Shoemaker, Alysa Shubert, Kathy Spencer, Audry Welty, Stacey Williams, Jan Wolf, and Dr. David Younger.

Admission is by Friends of the Orchestra Membership or $3 for children and seniors and $7 for adults.