Concert Band Shines in 1st Performance
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Published on Monday, 02 March 2009 14:54
The Ave Maria Concert Band performed in public for the first time Sunday afternoon, and the band members are already looking forward to their next performance at the Festival of the Arts March 22.
"It was a great success," said Mary Stuller who founded the band with her husband, Don, last year. "The youth really got it. They realized how great it feels to play with others for the love of music."
The musicians include students from area schools as well as some adults. The mixture is a real benefit, according to trumpeter Julian Gonzalez, a student at the D
onahue Academy. "The experience with the Ave Maria Concert Band has meant so much to me because I can play with musicians of different ages," Julian said.
The band was directed by Dino Valle of the SW Florida Italian Opera Society. Mr. Valle, a well-known baritone, also sang with Soprano Ellie Vandermeuse. Other soloists were flutist Teri Rettinger with Ave Maria University, clarinet player Kevin Kevin McCormick from Gulf Coast High (left) and Julian Gonzalez from Donahue Academy. Duets were by clarinet player Veronica Perez of Immokalee High and Julian Gonzalez.
Mrs. Stuller said that the concert marked an important step in the band's progress, and she is hoping for support to continue to grow. "One of the band's goals is to create a program where students can learn how to play an instrument beginning at the 6th grade level and be able to audition to play in the Ave Maria Concert Band or Symphonic Band when they reach the 8th grade level," she said. "Your donations could help pay the instrument rentals." Donations to The Ave Maria Hometown Band Inc can be sent to 5080 Annunciation Circle, Ste. 106-102, Ave Maria, Fl 34142. For more information, call 692-9875.
At right, Dino Valle directs a band rehearsal. Also standing is sporano Ellie Vandermeuse.
For more on the band, click here for a story from the Ave Herald last fall.
