ONTARIO, Calif.– The Ontario Chaffey Community Show Band will present an outdoor concert entitled “Music From Around the World” on Monday, May 11 att the Ontario Town Square Band Shell in downtown Ontario.
The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Some seating will be provided on the grass area in front of the band shell. However, it is recommended that concert goers bring their lawn chairs. This community event is free of charge.
The concert will take the audience on a musical journey around the globe. Featured on the concert are the musicians of the Ontario Chaffey Community Show Band and an array of soloists that include vocalist Joe Kolmel, Show Band vocalists and musicians Chris McAleer and Taunia Falasca, and Show Band Musician and Dancer Kathy Soderlund.
Vocal guest artist Joe Kolmel, who has performed with the Show Band in the past, will return to perform “Around the World in Eighty Days,” the title song from the 1956 movie of the same name. Kolmel will also perform famous Irish melodies that include “When Irish Eyes are Smiling” and “Danny Boy.”
Show Band concertmaster and vocalist Chris McAleer will perform medlies “Mexican Folk Song Suite” and the Latin standard “Besame Mucho” and “Montego Bay.”
Taunia Falasca plays in the Show Band trumpet section and is a singer. She will be featured on a medley of French melodies entitled “Vive le France.” Taunia will sing “C’est si bon,” “Le Vie en rose,” and “Autumn Leaves.”
Show Band Saxophonist and Dancer Kathy Soderlund has been featured on the Show Band stage in numerous concerts as a solo dancer. She entertain the audience by dancing to her own choreography in two well-known Cuban songs: “Malagueña” written in 1928 by Cuban Composer Ernesto Lecuona and “Quizas, Quizas, Quizas” written by Cuban composer Osvaldo Farres in 1947.
The Show Band will perform a medley celebrating the music of Italy and several selections that honor America including “A Tribute to Stephen Foster” and “The Bandmaster” in memory of Show Band founder Maestro Jack Mercer.
About the Ontario Chaffey Community Show Band
The Ontario Chaffey Community Show Band was founded in 1985 by R. Jack Mercer and is now under the direction of Dr. Gabe Petrocelli and Assistant Director David Schaafsma. Band members represent at least two dozen communities throughout Southern California.
Adult musicians and students are invited to participate. Rehearsals are held on Monday evenings from 7 to 9:00 p.m. at the Chaffey High School Jack Mercer Band Room. The band performs monthly concerts in the historic Gardiner W. Spring Auditorium as well as at other venues throughout the community.
All performances are free to the public. For more information about the concert visit the Show Band website at www.showband.net or contact Dr. Petrocelli by calling (909) 226-5748.
Donations are welcomed. Checks may be made out to: Friends of the OCCSB P/O Box 1512 Ontario, CA 91762. The “Friends of the Ontario Chaffey Community Show Band” is a registered charity under Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(3); EIN # 46-1422958