Current Event and Performance Schedule:
Updated 3/1/24
Well, that went splendidly!
Of course, we're referring to our concert on the 25th. The audience was welcoming and the music was interesting. What more could a group ask for?
Not ones to rest in our recliners, we are already preparing for our next performance. That will be on Sunday, April 28th, 3pm, also in the River Valley High School auditorium.
Will we be playing different music? Absolutely!
So we won't be sitting through the same concert again (and again, and again)? Nope!
And will it be free to attend! Absolutely!
Put it on your calendar now so you won't forget.
In other news, today is the first day of what we affectionately call High School Musical Season. This year the month of March features three local high school productions at Marion's historic Palace Theatre.
Ridgedale will be presenting Guys and Dolls on March 1-3.
Pleasant will be presenting Shrek on March 8-10.
Elgin will be presenting The Wizard of Oz on March 15-17.
The month of April features the River Valley High School production of The Addams Family, April 12-14. This musical will be staged in the River Valley High School Auditorium. (Yes, that is the same location as our February and April concerts.)
Any or all of these will expose you to talented performers, catchy music that you will humm for days afterward, and the realization that our community has a number of seriously talented youth. And if you look closely, you might catch a glimpse of some of our members in the background, helping the performers do their best.
One last word, this time about the summer concert series.
The second-most asked question we receive (#1 is the projected winning lottery numbers) is:
Who is playing in the 2024 concert series in McKinley Park?
We now have that answer! Below is the list for this summer, with all performances starting at 7pm. Frequent attenders will remember to bring a lawn chair, sunglasses, and possibly a beverage (non-alcoholic, as we are in a city park). Performances are not "rain or shine", as instruments and electronics react poorly to moist conditions. And so do musicians!
June 9 John Mullins
June 16 Marion Concert Band
June 23 Whirlybirds
June 30 Brian Michael Smith With the John Vermeulen Octet (think Frank Sinatra and swing music)
July 7 Marionaires/ Cast of "The Little Mermaid"
July 14 Marion Concert Band
July 21 Marion Area Orchestra and Quintessence
July 28 Spittin' Image
August 4 The Palace Theatre Big Band
August 11 Marion Concert Band
As mentioned in other posts, support is not just attendance, but financial. Through the generosity of our sponsors, over the years we have been able to provide compensation for the various performers to defray their expenses. This is with the obvious exception of the Marion Concert Band, who contributes their time and energy to make the summer concert series a success. We are pleased to note that we have already received significant contributions toward the costs of continuing this series in 2024. If you would like to contribute toward the 2024 schedule, check our the Sponsors tab on this site.
That seems to bring us up to date for now. As more information becomes available, we will share.
Stay warm, and we'll see you at the show!