Music lovers will have just two more opportunities to enjoy the Dominic Greco Band this year. The band's final performances for this season will be in Dover at the Tuscarawas County Italian American Festival and in New Philadelphia as part of Tuscora Park's Summer Showcase.
Greco Band season winding up
The 2013 season of the Dominic Greco Band, Tuscarawas Countys premiere community band is preparing for its final two concerts of the year.
Under the direction of Frederick Delphia, the Dominic Greco Band will present, Music of Italy at the Tuscarawas County Italian American Festival in downtown Dover. The concert is scheduled for Saturday, August 10, beginning at 7 p.m. In case of rain, the concert will be held at Memorial Hall in Dover.
Delphia stated that the main theme of the concert will be music of Italy. Though not all selections will have an Italian flavor, they will be in keeping with the spirit of this wonderful festival. The audience will get a taste of overtures, opera music, and Italian folk songs along with vocal and instrumental solos. Many well-known numbers associated with the Italian musical heritage will headline this program.
The concert will begin with Rossinis overture to Semiramide. The virtuoso soloist was often featured on concerts presented by the Italian Band when it was under the direction of the late conductor, Dominic Greco. Instead of one soloist, three talented players will be spotlighted. Solos will be presented by Jeff Huston on trumpet, Jonathan Stuck, tuba and Fred Heyburn, clarinet.
Popular local vocalist, Ron Barkett will also be featured throughout this special concert. Sure to be a great audience favorite will be Sing, Sing, Sing, featuring drummers, Curt Tyree and Tanner Wherley.
We always enjoy playing at the Tuscarawas County Italian American Festival and we look forward to this years performance, said Delphia. This event has special meaning to the band members since the Dominic Greco Band was called the Italian Band when it was formed in 1917. It will be an enjoyable evening of some of the finest concert band music.
The band will conclude the 2013 season at Tuscora Park on Friday, August 16, beginning at 6:30 p.m. In case of rain, this concert will be held at Memorial Hall in Dover.
The seasons finale concert will feature several of the most requested numbers played throughout the summer, along with new arrangements never before performed by the Dominic Greco Band. Polkas, marches, vocal and instrumental features will be part of this seasons closing 2013 program.
According to Delphia, the concert will begin with the theme to the movie, The Big Country, followed by the exciting Polka and Fugue from Schwanda. Barkett will take center stage to sing the popular, Bobby Darin hit, Beyond the Sea, and drummer Tyree will step away from the drums to perform his special version of Tiny Bubbles. Corey Swinderman will show his amazing range on trumpet to Georgia. The concert will close with a very special swing arrangement of Stars and Stripes Forever.
Our closing performance always has special meaning to us, said Delphia. We have had a wonderful season with this band, which has numbered nearly one hundred volunteer members. This is a very large band for a community band, and it says a great deal about the musical talent we have in our area.
I hope to have a great crowd for this Friday evening concert to honor the dedicated Greco Band musicians for the time and talent they have shared with our audiences. It will be a wonderful evening of entertaining concert band music, the director concluded.
For more information visit the bands website at www.dominicgrecoband.org and follow the band on Facebook for videos and photographs.
