The Georgian Shores Concert Band wants local residents to start humming Summertime in the depths of what seems like an endless Canadian winter.
Based in Midland and conducted by Matthew Rodnick, the band has evolved into a growing collective of more than 55 musicians and will likely perform the aforementioned Gershwin hit from Porgy and Bess as part of its Gershwin and the Greats show at King’s Wharf Theatre March 1.
“Our members come from a variety of musical backgrounds, including professional musicians and advanced high school students,” concert band executive member and trumpeter Sadie Bridgeman explains.
“While our home is in Midland, we proudly include musicians from across the region, from Meaford to Muskoka and beyond.”
This marks the third full season for the band.
“We have grown exponentially, not only in numbers but in technical ability as well,” Bridgeman says, noting that the dedicated group of musicians has become like a “band family.”
She says the musicians are “proud to deliver concert band music to the highest standard, that is unique and engaging for our growing audience base.”
And the band’s current season is no exception, according to Bridgeman.
“We started our year with a concert called Epic Journeys featuring McBeth’s monumental masterpiece, Of Sailors and Whales, a sweeping symphonic interpretation of Melville’s Moby Dick, complete with narration and projections.”
She says the show was very well received by the audience and illustrated that “GSCB raised the bar yet again.”
The band is currently busy rehearsing for the King’s Wharf Theatre show.
Entitled Gershwin and the Greats, Bridgeman said one highlights of the evening will be a performance of Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, featuring renowned Canadian pianist Kyung-A Lee.
“Her love for making music has led her around the world, where she is in high demand as both a soloist and an accompanist. Audience members can expect to hear breath-taking and virtuosic piano performances they won’t soon forget.
Tickets for the show are $25 and available here.