The free festival is scheduled for 2:30 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, at the Upper St. Clair High School Theatre. Theatre doors open at 1:45 p.m.
WQED-FM's Jim Cunningham also returns this year as the program host.
The Three Rivers Community Band Festival is truly a showcase of the many musically talented individuals in the region, and the concert promises a medley of songs that will appeal to a wide range of musical tastes.
New this year will be the "ultimate community band", made up of musicians from 18 community bands in Allegheny County and 10 other counties in the region. The festival band will perform selections under the baton of guest conductor Max Gonano, director of Bands at California University of Pennsylvania.
Community Band South represents the South Hills communities. This brass, woodwind and percussion band of over 80 members is co-directed by Dean Streator, former teacher of Instrumental Music at Bethel Park High School, and James Bennett, retired Director of Bands and Chairman of Fine Arts from the Upper St. Clair School District.
The festival was created in 2003 by the East Winds Symphonic Band. Established in 1981 with 24 members, the group now brings together over 60 serious amateur musicians from all walks of life, primarily from the eastern suburbs of Pittsburgh. The band's rich repertoire includes symphonic band classics, symphonic transcriptions, Broadway show tunes, themes from movie scores, Dixieland, Big Band and marches. Conductor Susan Sands has been directing the East Winds Symphonic Band since 1990. The band celebrated 26 years of bringing music to the Pittsburgh area this past October.
The Blairsville Community Concert Band was formed in October 2000 to preserve the art of live band music in theBlairsville area and to provide members an outlet in which they may express their unique musical talents. Conducted by David Brozeski, retired member of the music faculty in the Derry Area School District, the band has approximately 55 members ranging in age from 12 to 81 years old. The band regularly performs at local retirement residences and in area community celebrations.
The West Hills Symphonic Band was founded in 1967 by Joseph Picchi. Since 1998, Anthony L. DiIanni, U.S.N., Retired, has led this group of 55 to 70 members. With over 170 concerts under their belt, the band is known for consistent quality productions from a repertoire that includes Big Band, symphonic music, marches and show tunes.
Festivalgoers are invited to enjoy light refreshments after the concert as well as having an opportunity to meet and greet the musicians. For more information about the Three Rivers Community Band Festival, visit the Web site at www.ewsb.org/festival.