Ferris Community Band at the Big Rapids Band Shell. Courtesy of Director Dr. Richard Scott Cohen of the Ferris State University sponsored summer community band.
This week, the Ferris Community Band will be holding the fifth of their six summer concerts. The concert will be held at 7:00pm on Wednesday, June 28th (tonight) at the Big Rapids Band Shell (River Walk at Hemlock Park, behind Big Rapids Middle School). The rain location will be the Big Rapids First United Methodist Church at 304 Elm St.
About the Concerts
Having already preformed this season at the Big Rapids Old Jail, Big Rapids Band Shell, the Canadian Lakes Castle, and Centennial Park, the Ferris Community Summer Band returns to the Big Rapids Band Shell for its fifth summer concert. These concerts are part of the series of free outdoor concerts sponsored by Ferris State University that features an enjoyable variety of musical styles performed by local talented musicians.
This week’s concert includes a wide variety of musical styles including Movie Music by Henry Mancini, Harold Arlen and Ennio Morricone, Marches, Caribbean Music, the music of George Gershwin, Broadway Music, Spanish Music, and the Jazz Standard, “Harlem Nocturne.” These concerts will also showcase the talents of several of the band members’ individual musicians, including: Bonny Jean Scott (vocals), Isabella Waite (piccolo), Jennifer Waite (oboe), and Tony Weglarz (alto sax).
Concert Selections
- An American in Paris
- Caribbean Beach
- Cheerio “Sing and Whistle” March
- Fantasia on “Lady of Spain”
- Flourish for Wind Band
- Gabriel’s Oboe, from the movie The Mission
- Harlem Nocturne
- Over the Rainbow, from the movie The Wizard of Oz
- Pennywhistle Jig, from the movie The Molly Maguires
About the Band
Sponsored by Ferris State University as part of its “Music for Life!” initiative, the Ferris Community Summer Band is celebrating its 52nd year of bringing the campus and the community together through music. It is open–at no cost–to all area adults, college students, high school students, and advance middle school students with band experience. In order to perform in a concert, musicians should attend the rehearsal beforehand. Musicians are invited to perform in as many concerts as they can that fit into their schedules. Musical friends and relatives visiting in town this summer are also welcome. To participate, either contact director Scott Cohen in advance (231-591-2484 or ) or simply come to the next rehearsal!