Band concert features ‘Bells’

Laguna Community Concert Band will bring back an old favorite, “The Bells of Christmas,” as part of its free “Swingin’, Singin’ Holiday Concert” at 3 p.m. Sunday.

Returning as mistress of ceremonies will be actress and local resident Lona Ingwerson, who will also narrate Henry Wordsworth Longfellow’s “The Bells of Christmas.”

“I think it’s a show that families would really enjoy,” she said. “It’s sort of a kickoff for the Christmas season.”

Ingwerson said she was thrilled to volunteer her efforts to the organization.

“I wanted to give back to the community,” she said. “This is one way I can do it.”

Longfellow wrote the poem during the Civil War, during the height of his own personal turmoil; the poem cycles from joy to despair back to joy again.

The show will also feature the 60-piece band’s performances of favorites like “Greensleeves,” “Let It Snow” and a Christmas pop sing-along. Santa Claus is set to make an appearance, as well as a choir from Anneliese’s Schools.

“They’re going to do many beautiful numbers,” Ingwerson said.

Ingwerson, who was a household face in the Midwest when she appeared as Mrs. Safeway in the grocery chain’s commercials, is now a Christian Science practitioner.

She lives at Thousand Steps Beach with her husband, Don; they have three grown children.

In addition to narrating “The Bells of Christmas,” Ingwerson has also performed “The Lincoln Portrait” and “Peter and the Wolf” for other orchestras.

“I am honored to be a part of this beautiful Christmas program,” she said. “The band is top notch, and I know the audience will be thrilled with the concert. These musicians are so dedicated, and so talented.”