Performing Group: Swingtime Jazz Band
Location: Melbourne Auditorium
Type: Concert

The “Band Members’ Favorites” concerts are quickly approaching, and I am looking forward to taking the podium as Principal Conductor of the Melbourne Municipal Band.  I’ve enjoyed working with the members of this band for almost ten years now in my roles as player, board member, officer and Associate Conductor.  It is my honor and pleasure to be asked to lead the Melbourne Municipal band, and I am looking ahead to a very exciting season of music.

When I began planning the August concerts, I took a survey of the band members, asking them to share with me the pieces they would most like to play on a concert.  I was inundated with so many suggestions that I decided to dedicate the entire concert to their requests.  There will certainly be a little something for everyone on this concert.  From the music of the movie King Kong to classical favorites like Debussy’s Clair de Lune and Copeland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, this will be an evening of variety and entertainment.  Before the main event even begins, my good friends Gosia and Ali will be providing pre-concert music.  They are popular musicians in Gainesville, Florida, and their services are always in high demand.  They play an amazing variety of music from pop to jazz.  We are so lucky to have them playing for us two nights in a row!

I hope to see you all there with a table of your friends, enjoying the food and the music.  Where else in Brevard County can you get such an incredible evening of fun for FREE?  The MMB has been providing that to the citizens of Brevard for almost 45 years now.  Come join us.

Cleveland to Lead Band at Free “Band Member Favorites” Concert on August 11 and 12 at 6:30 p.m.

MELBOURNE, FL, July 14, 2010 – Staci Cleveland, a Melbourne Municipal Band musician and board member for nearly 10 years, has been named Principal Conductor of the musical group and will lead the band in its last ‘not-in-the-park’ picnic concerts of the season, August 11 and 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Melbourne Auditorium.

The concerts will feature a selection of band members’ favorite tunes. Special pre-show entertainment will be provided by Gosia & Ali, a highly regarded, Gainesville-based musical group that performs light jazz and pop music.

Cleveland was named Associate Conductor of the band in early 2008.  She has a Master’s degree in Conducting from the University of Florida, where she studied with Dr. David Waybright, and a degree in Music Education. Cleveland taught middle school bands in Volusia and Orange Counties and is active in various musical ensembles in Brevard County, including the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra, the Central Florida Chamber Winds and the Space Coast Flute Orchestra.

“Staci has been instrumental in many improvements to the MMB program over the years,” said Anne Adams, chair of the band’s Board of Trustees. “She has conducted many concerts in recent years that have always been well-received by our audience members, such as her Celtic concerts and movie-themed concerts, among others.”

“I am so excited to have the opportunity to lead the MMB,” said Cleveland.  “It has been very rewarding for me to work with the members of this ensemble over the years, and I know we are going to work hard together going forward to take the band to the next level. I am really looking forward to the 2010-2011 concert season.”

Cleveland plans to seek professional, amateur and school-aged musicians to play an active role in MMB concerts in the coming season.  She also plans to further enhance the MMB’s goal of promoting music education in our community.

In order to make the most of the ‘not-in-the-park’ picnic concert theme, long tables will be set up to enable a ‘dinner and show’ experience and audience members can bring along their picnic dinners. Drinks, ice and snacks will be available for purchase at the concession table.

There is no charge for the concert and tickets are not required. Call 724-0555 or visit melbournemunicipalband.org for more information.

About the Melbourne Municipal Band

The Melbourne Municipal Band (MMB), established in 1965, plays free concerts for the citizens of Brevard County nearly every month, and also contributes to the community through parades, patriotic concerts and ceremonial performances. Some 30 percent of the band’s 80-plus members are professional musicians. In a typical year, the band serves 69,000 concert attendees, and its members give 27,000 hours of community service in the form of rehearsals and performance time.

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