Arlington Heights concert band presents 'Sousa-Palooza'
The award-winning Arlington Heights Community Concert Band, in partnership with District 214 Community Education, will present "Sousa-Palozza" at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 1, in the theater of Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights.
The band will play a selection of his marches, including his most famous piece, "The Stars and Stripes Forever." There will be some audience surprises, including soloists and a very special guest conductor.
The band is celebrating 40 years of making music and has four indoor concerts this season. Each concert will represent a decade of the band's history, including a story in the program and a memorabilia lobby display. This concert will also feature a Sousa display.
Join the Arlington Heights Community Concert Band for its winter concert and 40th year of making music. The holiday concert was a packed house, so reserve your tickets early. Admission is free.
The band views its concerts as a service to the community and never wants price to deter anyone from attending. However, for the indoor season, seating is limited and it is recommended you purchase your tickets in advance. Theater doors open at 2:30 p.m.
Tickets are available at the District 214 Community Education office in the Forest View Educational Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday by calling (847) 718-7702 during the same hours, or by emailing ahccbtickets@gmail.com. Remaining tickets, if any, will also be available at the door.
The band accepts tax-deductible donations to offset the cost of concert production, replacement instruments and new music.
The Arlington Heights Community Concert Band started with three musicians in November 1979 and has grown to more than 65 volunteer musicians of all skill levels 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, Associate 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 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 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 the band out."
The Arlington Heights Arts Commission honored the Arlington Heights Community Concert Band with its 2018 annual 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 and receives support from both the Arlington Heights Park District and the village of Arlington Heights.
For more information about the band, visit www.arlingtonheightsband.org.
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