Arlington Heights Community Concert Band Fall Concert & 40th Anniversary
Arlington Heights Community Concert Band
Celebrates 40 Years of Making Music
Starting with our Fall Concert, "Pop-Sicals"
Submitted by Suzanne Petrie, VP/Publicity
The Arlington Heights Community Concert Band in partnership with District 214 Community Education presents its Fall Concert, "Pop-Sicals." This concert also marks the beginning of the bands 40th anniversary. In November of 1979, The Daily Herald ran a brief article about The Arlington Heights Park District Cultural Arts Department inviting local musicians to a meeting to discuss forming a community adult band. The first organized planning session took place at Hasbrook Park with Park District Cultural Arts Supervisor, Toni Higgins-Thrash and three original founders, Janet Curto, Dave Rabuck and Joyce New. After a few meetings, the "Arlington Heights Park District's Community Concert Band" was created with Dave Rabuck coordinating the initial band practices hosting guest conductors. The first rehearsals were held at Olympic Swim Center and then eventually moved to Arlington Heights High School band room.
By April 1980, the band rehearsed with their first conductor, Louis Lason. He had an impressive amount of teaching and civic band conducting experience including being the band and orchestra conductor for Steinmetz High School in Chicago. The band's first public appearance was the Arlington Heights Memorial Day parade where the musicians rode in two separate pickup trucks, one for the woodwinds and one for the brass and percussion. The first concert was given at Frontier Days, July 6, 1980, with 40 volunteer musicians. By September 1980, the roster grew to 83 musicians and the band gave concerts at Friendship Village, Lutheran Home, Randhurst Mall, Arlington Heights Library and Little City in Palatine.
The band has four indoor concerts this season. Each concert will represent a decade of the bands history including a story in the program, a memorabilia lobby display and by playing a piece of music from the band's first concert season. This first concert, "Pop-Sicals," will feature music of the Beatles, Elton John, Bruno Mars as well as classical pieces like "First Suite in Eb" by Gustav Holst and "Masque" by Francis McBeth.
Join us for our fall concert and 40th year of making music. "Pop-Sicals" takes place 3:00 PM, Sunday, November 3rd at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Admission is free, but seating is limited. To reserve tickets, please call 847-718-7702 Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM or email ahccbtickets@gmail.com. Remaining tickets, if any, will be available at the door. The band accepts tax-deductible donations to offset the cost of concert production and new music.
ABOUT THE BAND
The Arlington Heights Community Concert Band started with three musicians in November 1979 and has grown to over 65 dedicated volunteer musicians of all skill level and ages. Every band member has their own story as to what they like about being a band member. Mike Madonia, Artistic and Music Director, assistant conductor, Peter Piselllo and all the musicians are dedicated to providing the audience with absolutely the most joyful musical experience possible.
Interested musicians are always welcome. Membership is open to anyone ages 14 and older who has experience playing a musical instrument. No audition is required and seat placement is at the director's discretion. The band members have varied skill levels from professional musicians to former high school and college musicians. Weekly rehearsals are from 7:30-9:30 pm Wednesdays usually at Forest View or a local district school. The first several rehearsals of each concert cycle allows time for potential interested musicians to "try us out".
The band is proud to announce that The Arlington Heights Arts Commission honored the Arlington Heights Community Concert Band with its 2018 annual Cultural Arts Award. The Cultural Arts Award celebrates achievements of artists or groups of artists in Arlington Heights who have created a substantial body of work in their field. You can view this prestigious award in the theater lobby.
The band is in partnership with District 214 Community Education, receives support from both the Arlington Heights Park District and the Village of Arlington Heights. The mission of the Arlington Heights Community Concert Band is to provide musical entertainment to the community, to provide opportunities for community members to join and be part of a musical organization, to provide for individual musical expression and growth, and to contribute to the community's music appreciation. Information about the band is available at www.arlingtonheightsband.org
Submitted by Suzanne Petrie VP/Publicity
Spetrie0879@mac.com
Cell: 847-502-1233
For more information please contact band president:
Judy Shimkus
Ahccb.president@gmail.com
Cell: 630-272-9947