From the first note of the Star Spangled Banner to the final note of A Christmas Proclamation, the annul Community Band Christmas concert proved to be a success once again.

Under the direction of Bainbridge High School band director Paschal Ward, the all-volunteer band began practicing in October in preparation for Monday night’s concert.

“Its strictly volunteer kind of like church choir,” Ward said. “We have a lot of former students…I have some high school students in and we have some very talented people.”

Monday night’s performance was dedicated to the memory of Edward Mobley and Sam Griffin, who co-founded the Community Band.

“I think [Mobley and Griffin] would get out of the grave and get me if I didn’t continue doing it,” Ward said about the reason he continues the tradition.

The band originally started as a British Brass Band modeled after the one Mobley and his wife Martha were involved with in Rome, Georgia.

After moving to Bainbridge, the couple started a small British Brass Band.

“Just a handful of people,” Martha Mobley said about the band’s humble beginning. “Now look at how many people come.”

Sam Griffin later joined and provided the much-needed financial assistance the band needed in order to provide the specialized instruments the ensemble required. After it became impossible to continue the British Brass Band, they formed the Community Band.

Martha Mobley and Mary Ann Griffin, the wife of the late Sam Griffin, were honored during Monday night’s concert.

“It was really beautiful, really moving, just very sweet,” Martha Mobley said.

The band played a number of Christmas classics including “Silver Bells”, “All I Want For Christmas Is You” and “Feliz Navidad” during the 45-minute performance.