PORT TOWNSEND — The 35-piece Port Townsend Summer Band will return to Chetzemoka Park this afternoon, bringing the music of George Gershwin, Leonard Bernstein and Mozart, among others, for a free public concert.
This is the season opener, so the first number is Gershwin’s “Strike Up the Band,” with Mozart’s “The Impresario” overture following close behind.
Also on tap in the 3 p.m. performance with conductor Karl Bach are Ernesto Lecuona’s “Siboney,” “The Navy Bugler’s Band Call March,” Edwin Franko Goldman’s “On the Mall,” Bernstein’s “West Side Story” and John Williams’ music for the movie “The Patriot.”
John Philip Sousa’s “New Mexico March” will close the concert.
Chetzemoka Park, at 900 Jackson St., is a beautiful venue for this purpose, said Bach, who’s in his 15th year of leading the Port Townsend Summer Band.
“Take along a blanket or a chair to sit on and some picnic snacks to munch on,” he said, “while listening to the music and enjoying the view of Port Townsend Bay.”
The Summer Band welcomes all woodwind, brass and percussion players who play at the high school level, Bach noted. Musicians range in age from teenagers to octogenarians. They get together to rehearse at the American Legion Hall on Tuesdays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information, see www.PTsummerband.org or contact Bach at 360-344-3658 or flamacue@outlook.com.
