Take a trip across the country with 'Cityscapes' concert
When mid-February hits the Chicago area, if you're like most people, you wish to get away. It's cold, snowy and the thought of anywhere other than here is top on the list.
Conductor and Artistic Director Mike Madonia and the Arlington Heights Community Concert Band will whisk you away on the winter vacation you deserve. "Cityscapes" will take listeners on a musical journey around the country to famous cities.
First stop is San Antonio, Texas, and the famed River Walk to listen to mariachi bands in the market place. The music of Charles Booker's "La Fiesta de San Antonio" will not only warm you up, but make you want to dance in the aisles.
Next stop is Sorrento, Italy, along the Amalfi coast. Visualize seaside vistas from atop the cliffs and small towns built into the side of the mountain. Imagine the sea breeze and feel instantly warm all over.
Next, journey on to New York City with Jack Bullock's "A Salute to NY City." Who doesn't know "Give My Regards to Broadway," "42nd Street" and "East Side, West Side?" Then enjoy Robert Sheldon's "Metroplex (Three Postcards from Manhattan)," which glides you over the city skyline, takes you through Harlem, and then closes with a wild taxi ride through the city.
Then head to Pittsburgh, where you can march your feet to John Philip Sousa's "The Pride of Pittsburgh." In this unique "grand march," Sousa gave tribute to two popular American composers, Stephen Foster and Ethelbert Nevin, both from the Pittsburgh area. The show includes a trip back to the Midwest, with stops in St. Louis (Blues) and Chicago.
"Cityscapes" takes place at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23, at Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights. Admission is free, but seating is limited. To reserve tickets, call (847) 718-7702 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., 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.
The Arlington Heights Community Concert Band started with three musicians in November 1979, and has grown to more than 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. Madonia, the director, assistant conductor Peter Piselllo and all the musicians are dedicated to providing the audience with 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 conductor'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 p.m. 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 Cultural Arts Award, which celebrates achievements of artists or groups of artists in Arlington Heights who have created a substantial body of work in their field.
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.
For more information, visit www.arlingtonheightsband.org.
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