MILTON CONCERT BAND'S SUMMER CELEBRATION!

Milton, Ontario - After months of practicing, the Milton Concert Band is pleased to put on their first ever show! Their "Summer Celebration", kicks off with performances at the Milton 150th Street Festival and Milton District Hospital's Strawberry Fair and culminates in a FREE Concert in the Park at the Victoria Park Gazebo on July 26th at 8pm.

Less than eight months ago, recently arrived Milton residents and long time friends, Angela Rozario and Cheryl Ciccarelli, having recognized the growing artistic community in Milton, decided to put a call out to see if there were any other area amateur musicians who shared their desire to create a concert band here in their new hometown. After several phone calls, meetings, and interviews, rehearsals began on February 1st, 2007 and the pair were immediately overwhelmed with the response. "It seemed like musicians were coming out of the woodwork!" laughs Angela Rozario, President of the MCB. "People were really excited about the prospect of playing with a group again, of creating something special and of giving back to this community in a way that uses their talents to their full potenital. When we started this, we thought we'd be playing in one of our basements with a few others for company. Soon we were scrambling to accommodate over 30 musicians and having to put others on a waiting list! We've even been contacted by several string players that we'd love to work with in the future."

With just a few months of rehearsals under their belt, the band has already started to form a cohesive group. Blessed with a core of seasoned musicians and hard working newcomers, the band is quickly shaping into a versatile musical ensemble with a varied repertoire. "It's fabulous that so many strangers can come together and mesh so well, both musically and socially, so fast. Everyone is working really hard and going out of their way to create something we can be proud of. I've played with several community bands over the years, and feel lucky to have found this group. I can't wait for Thursday evening to come around." states Burlington resident and Tuba player, Brad Yhard

Joseph Resendes, a composer and woodwind musician (saxophone, clarinet and flute) who has performed in and around the GTA for over 10 years, leads the group. "It's been a busy and very satisfying few months", remarks Joe. "I was really excited about the prospect of getting involved with a group who wanted to do something a little different here in Milton...not just your average community band, but one that challenges both its members and its audience with a creative and unique repertoire, in a fun learning environment." In addition to his duties as Musical Director of the MCB, Joe is completing his PhD at York University, is the musical director of the St. Mary's Catholic Church Choir, Assistant Conductor of the Music Society of St. Helen's, leader of various other small ensembles around town and is working at the York University Music department.

The Band is pleased to announce what it's calling their "Summer Celebration" - a series of 3 performances which will serve to introduce them to the people of Milton. The first performance will be at 2pm at the Children's Stage, Victoria Park Gazebo during Milton's 150th Anniversary Street Festival on Saturday, June 9th. Later that same month, the group will perform at Milton District Hospital's Strawberry Fair in the Milton Fairgrounds at 12:45pm on June 23rd. Their first "official" concert will be on Thursday, July 26th at 8pm in the Victoria Park Gazebo. The band hopes to make this FREE Concert in the Park a summer tradition and invites everyone to come out and enjoy a good ole' fashioned night of music and merriment.

Comprised mainly of amateur musicians from all over Halton Region, the band's mission is to provide Milton and area residents with an opportunity to enjoy and perform great music right here in their own community. The group plays a wide variety of music from Broadway to Big Band, Classical to Contemporary. Interested musicians should contact the band at miltonconcertband@gmail.com or 416-508-6106 for information on membership registration.

For further information:
E-mail: info@miltonconcertband.com

Or contact Cheryl Ciccarelli at (905)864-1143