Rehearsals have begun for the Great Geauga County Fair Band’s 78th season, and band director Greg Hillis has issued an open call for musicians, age 15 and older, who would like to participate in entertaining thousands of Northeast Ohioans in the months ahead.
The all-volunteer concert band rehearses every Tuesday from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Rehearsals are held in the Berkshire High School band room from March 22 through May 31, then move to the band pavilion on the Geauga County Fairgrounds in Burton, Ohio for the remainder of the 2016 season.
In addition to traditional marches, the Great Geauga County Fair Band’s repertoire includes standards and medleys representative of many eras. Among the new music being introduced this season will be President Garfield’s Inaugural March, The Beatles’ classic, When I’m 64, and selections from Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition.
According to Hillis, “Our band includes musicians of all ages and levels of musicianship, from amateurs to professionals, whose full time occupations are making, teaching, conducting or composing music. The repertoire is challenging but fun, and the camaraderie helps keep musicians of all levels enthusiastic and motivated.”
The Band’s first appearance will be at the Geauga County Maple Festival Parade on April 23 and 24. The first formal Band concert will be held at St. Anselm’s Church in Chesterland on May 29. The season will culminate, as always, with twice-daily performances at the Great Geauga County Fair in Burton, which will be held this year from September 2-5. To learn more about the band and the 2016 season, call 440.299.7872 or click here.
