The musicians of the Ontario Chaffey Community Show Band and the City of Ontario are proud to present “Music Under The Stars” on Monday May 13, 2024 at 7:30 p.m.  The concert will be held at the band shell in Ontario Town Square located at North Euclid Ave. and “C” Street in Ontario.  Since, the performance is outdoors, you are encouraged to bring your lawn chairs and picnic baskets.  The city will have limited seating available.  The performance is free to the public.
The May concert highlights the exciting film music of John Williams, selections by Henry Mancini, Show Band musician/dancer Kathy Soderlund, and saxophone soloist and Assistant Director Pat Arnold.  The Show Band is also proud to award Jack Mercer Brass Scholarships to local middle school students.  Each recipient will also perform a short solo.
John Williams career has spanned seven decades, he has composed some of the most popular, recognizable, and critically acclaimed film scores in cinema history.  Williams’ early work as a film composer includes Valley of the Dolls, The Cowboys, The Towering Inferno, and The Sugarland Express.  He received five Academy Awards for Best Original Score for Fiddler On The Roof, Jaws, Star Wars, E.T.: The Extra Terrestrial, and Schindler’s List.  Other memorable film scores include Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park, Saving Private Ryan, War Horse, Superman, three Harry Potter films, and The Fabelmans.  The Show Band will perform three medleys of John Williams’ music that contain many of the theme songs from his film scores.  Pat Arnold will perform a tenor saxophone solo to Williams’ love theme from the movie Cinderella Liberty entitled “Nice To Be Around.”  The Showband will also perform “Dry Your Tears” from Williams’ film score to Amistad.
Another well-known American film composer was Henry Mancini.  His works include the soundtrack for the Peter Gunn television series, film scores for The Pink Panther, A Shot In The Dark, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Charade, The Days of Wine and Roses, and Arabesque.  The Show Band will perform the theme songs to “Charade,” “Arabesque,” and “It Had Better Be Tonight” from The Pink Panther.  The Show Band will also showcase musician and dancer Kathy Sodelund in “Tango di Amor.”
The performance will be narrated by City of Ontario Mayor Paul Leon and Vice President of The Friends of the Show Band Board Al Boling.
Please be sure to join us for this great evening of movie music and do not forget to invite your family and friends!  You can also support the Show Band by visiting and feeding our Hungry Tuba located in front of the band shell.  The concert will be broadcast on local Ontario cable Channel 3.  Check your cable listings for the date and time.
The Show Band will also perform in the Memorial Day Remembrance Program at Bellevue Memorial Park at 10:00 a.m. on Monday May 27, 2024.  The Show Band will join members of the Ontario Fire Department, Ontario Police Department, and local veterans from each branch of the services in paying tribute to military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces.  The program will be narrated by retired County Supervisor and former City of Ontario Mayor Gary Ovitt.  The guest vocalist will be Mr. Brian Detwiler and the keynote address will be given by Mr. Gil Zendejas, Member of the Chaffey Joint Union High School District Board of Trustees.  We look forward to seeing you there.
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 directors David Schaafsma and Pat Arnold.  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 on the campus of Chaffey High School 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 at gabe@showband.net.  The “Friends of the Ontario Chaffey Community Show Band” is a registered charity under Internal Revenue Code Section 501 (c)(3); EIN # 46-1422958.  Donations are welcomed.  Checks may be made out to:  Friends of the OCCSB, P.O. Box 1512, Ontario, CA 91762.  Concert goers interested in being included on the Show Band mailing list are encouraged to fill out an information card at our events.  Be sure to follow the Show Band on Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and our website at www.showband.net.