Free performance will feature guest conductors and French horn soloist Nancy Joy at Atkinson Recital Hall

Organ Mountain News report

LAS CRUCES - The Mesilla Valley Concert Band will present its “Spring Potpourri” concert next month, featuring local guest conductors and internationally recognized French hornist Nancy Joy as soloist.

The concert will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 8, 2026, at Atkinson Recital Hall on the New Mexico State University main campus.

The ensemble, made up of about 100 musicians from across the Las Cruces area, performs five free concerts each year for the community. New Mexico State University Director of Bands Dr. Michael Mapp directs the group.

“‘Spring Potpourri’ features a great mix of music that not only portrays the season of spring but also its spirit, with pieces that are both lively and beautiful,” Mapp said.

Mapp will share conducting duties with longtime Las Cruces music educator and Mesilla Valley Concert Band co-founder Jim Young, Mayfield High School band director Rod Pior and Centennial High School assistant band director Karen Padilla. Pior and Padilla both perform in the ensemble, playing saxophone and percussion respectively.

Young previously served as an assistant conductor under co-founder Dr. William Clark and also performed in the percussion section. He later stepped down from the ensemble but received an open invitation to return and conduct.

“This is one of those times when Mr. Young will be coming back to make music with the MVCB,” Mapp said. “Mr. Young is a New Mexico music education legend, having been a very successful high school band director in the state. He has had a major impact not only on the Las Cruces musical community, but also on the lives of thousands of students throughout his career.”

Retired NMSU horn professor Nancy Joy, a founding member of the band, will perform Ralph Hermann’s Concerto for Horn as the featured soloist. Joy performs internationally and locally, including as principal horn with the Las Cruces Symphony Orchestra and second horn with the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. She also serves as symposium coordinator for the International Horn Society and has taught and performed on six continents.

“I’m honored and thrilled to perform a solo with the MVCB. As a founding member of the band, it’s very special to me to perform for my community,” Joy said.

Admission to the concert is free and open to the public. Audience members are encouraged to bring canned goods and nonperishable items to donate to the NMSU Aggie Cupboard food distribution program.