PRESS RELEASE
FOR FEBRUARY 26 - MARCH 4

Symphonic Band Plays Free Concert

The North Coast Symphonic Band will present a free concert at the historic Liberty Theater in downtown Astoria on Sunday, March 4 at 2 P.M.

The concert theme, “From the Back Roads of America,” is designed by resident conductor Richard Boberg to appeal to families and those of all ages, with selections based on American folk tunes, marches, and dances.

The ever-popular Brownsmead Flats folk combo will offer a pre-show performance at 1:30 P.M.

The 45-plus members of the North Coast Symphonic Band will take the stage at 2:00 PM, with Laurie Drage as featured vocal soloist.

Drage, an Astorian well-known to North Coast audiences, will sing her show-stopper version of “Precious Lord,” as well as a special arrangement of “Joshua Fit the Battle of Jericho” by NCSB resident composer Dave Robertson.

Sarah Szopinski , orchestra instructor for the Astoria School District , will conduct “Fantasy on American Sailing Songs” by Clare Grundman. When not on the podium, the versatile Ms. Szopinski plays lead saxophone in the NCSB.

Conductor Boberg, who directs the rest of the concert, says, “The Band is looking forward to this free concert as our way of thanking the greater North Coast community for its support of quality instrumental music in our region.”

The North Coast Symphonic Band brings together veteran professional musicians, talented high school students, and a range of community members to provide live performances from the wind band repertoire. Geographically, the group draws players from as far as Ocean Park and Cathlamet in Washington and Rockaway Beach and Oregon City in Oregon .

Interested community members with band experience are invited to call (503) 325-3891 or (503) 325-2431 or send email to jlbowler@charter.net. The next NCSB concert, scheduled for May 6, will be devoted to swing and big band jazz, with the famed Norman Leyden as guest conductor and special guests, the North Coast Big Band.
The NCSB, now in its 27th season, makes a unique contribution to the cultural life of the lower Columbia region. Donations to the band qualify for the tax deduction associated with donations to the Oregon Cultural Trust.

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Photos attached:
Laurie Drage, vocal soloist
Sarah Szopinski , guest conductor
Brownsmead Flats, pre-show


FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
JANET BOWLER
(503) 325-2431
jlbowler@charter.net