After an exciting season of live performances on Lakeland Community College’s campus, the Lakeland Civic Band will present a series of outdoor concerts, titled “Viva Musica,” at notable venues throughout Lake and Ottawa Counties this summer. The performances are scheduled for Sunday, July 16, at 2 p.m. at the Mentor Amphitheater; Saturday, July 22, at 2 p.m. at Lakeside Chautauqua; Thursday, July 27, at 7 p.m. at Wildwood Cultural Center in Mentor; and Sunday, July 30, at 2 p.m. at the James A. Garfield National Historic Site. Guests are encouraged to bring their own seating, blankets, snacks and beverages. The three concerts in Mentor are free and open to the public, although a $37 gate pass is required to attend the day’s festivities at Lakeside Chautauqua.

Under the direction of Frank Cosenza, the band will play a diverse variety of rousing works that evoke the joys of summertime. Pieces range from rhythmic marches to melodic trombone rags, including Rossano Galante’s “Mischievous Behavior” and Billy Joel’s “Root Beer Rag.”

The fun will continue as the band moves on to perform “Earth, Wind & Fire in Concert” and select pieces from the “James Bond” franchise.

As for the concerts’ namesake, a concert overture titled “Viva Musica” will be performed, in addition to several Italian songs and big band signatures.

According to Cosenza, the Lakeland Civic Band’s summer concert series is a “celebration of the unique musical talent that continues to enrich Lake County and surrounding communities. With less events taking place on the college’s campus during summer compared to fall and spring, they also serve as a reminder that the Arts at Lakeland remain a vital and active force in Northeast Ohio’s art and music scene.”

ABOUT THE LAKELAND CIVIC BAND
The Lakeland Civic Band provides an opportunity for instrumentalists from the area to perform band literature of the highest quality. Its membership is drawn from Lakeland students, talented high school players, school music teachers and directors, and community musicians who are selected by audition.

In addition to concerts at Lakeland each fall and spring, the band has performed at area high schools and universities; national, state and regional conferences and conventions; Severance Hall and the Chautauqua Institute. The band has invited a variety of illustrious guest conductors and artists and has featured several of its members as soloists.

The Lakeland Civic Band received the Sudler Silver Scroll Award presented by the Sousa Foundation in recognition of musical excellence and service to the community.

Anyone interested in becoming a part of the Lakeland Civic Band may contact Frank Cosenza atfcosenza1@lakelandcc.edu.

ABOUT THE CIVIC MUSIC ENSEMBLES
Lakeland Community College provides community members the opportunity to express and advance their talents by performing in five music groups: the Lakeland Civic Band, the Lakeland Civic Chorus, the Lakeland Civic Flute Choir, the Lakeland Civic Jazz Orchestra and the Lakeland Civic Orchestra. Additionally, the college offers talented high school students Jazz Impact, an all-star high school music group.

For more information about the civic music groups and auditions, contact Jeri Lynn Pilarczyk in the Arts and Sciences Division at 440.525.7261 or email jpilarczyk5@lakelandcc.edu.

By: Charles Hegedus, Mrktg and Commun Specialist