AVB Community Band Concert

The AVB Community Band will celebrate our veterans and America during an inspiring evening of music titled “One Nation United” on Wednesday, Nov. 15, at St. Norbert College’s iconic Walter Theatre in the Abbot Pennings Hall of Fine Arts, 315 3rd St. in De Pere. The November concert, always performed near Veterans Day, is one of the most popular concerts of the AVB Community Band’s season. Doors to the Walter Theatre open at 6 p.m. Members of American Legion Post 11 in Green Bay will be in attendance to help welcome guests and post the colors prior to the concert. Admission to the concert is at no charge, but donations are accepted following the concert to help the band continue its important mission of “Music for a Lifetime.” The family-friendly concert is sponsored by Hansen Family Funeral and Cremation Services in Green Bay, a longtime supporter of the AVB Community Band. Mike Ajango is director of the 75-member AVB (All-Volunteer) Community Band. Paul Oleksy is associate director. Narrator for the concert is Bruce Deadman. "We Are Family” is the theme of the 42nd season of the AVB Community Band, formerly the Allouez Village Band. Ajango said he selected the concert theme of “One Nation United” for a special reason. “There is a lot going on in our country,” he said. “But beneath all the media buzz is a foundation. We are more alike than different. There are many, many things that connect us. That bonds us together as one nation.” The concert serves as a “thank you” to our veterans, he continued. “We wouldn't be the country we are today without the service of our veterans,” he said. “This is an opportunity to show our thanks and support for their service,” he said, noting that veterans will be honored as the concert concludes during a rousing performance of “Armed Forces on Parade.” This is the second consecutive year the AVB Community Band will perform its veterans concert at the Walter Theater. Ajango has performed there many times himself, as a member of the Dudley Birder Chorale and as a cast member in productions of the St. Norbert Summer Music Theatre. “It’s great to be back at the Walter Theatre and it’s a great concert venue. There’s not a bad seat in the house,” he said. The vocalist for the evening is Toni Fritz. “It’s her first time on stage with the AVB Community Band, but she has been an area favorite for many years. In fact, Toni and I played for many area weddings over the years,” said Ajango. Fritz has performed in many local bands since the 1980s and is a versatile artist, whose range allows her to sing everything from pop, jazz, rock, country and Christian genres. The concert begins with the Posting of the Colors by American Legion Post 11, which has also Posted the Colors for decades before every Green Bay Packer home game. Then Fritz joins the band in a vocal rendition of “Home of the Brave.” “American Variations” is followed by “For Our Heroes.” “The Perfect Storm” is a moving piece by composer James Horner from the memorable George Clooney film of the same name. Fritz will then join the band for a “Salute to Bob Hope,” featuring memorable music from his films, including the song he’s best remembered for, “Thanks for the Memories.” Following intermission, the AVB Community Band performs “American Visions” followed by “Spirit of the Falcon.” Fritz will join the band, singing Gershwin's “They Can’t Take That Away From Me.” The “Long March Home” is performed by the band, which is followed by Fritz singing another Gerswhin classic, “Embraceable You.” Following the performance, band members will greet the audience and accept donations. Members of the band will also be in the lobby selling advanced tickets for the chicken dinner to be held following the “Swing, Swing, Swing” Big Band/Jazz Concert and Dance at the Riverside Ballroom on Sunday, Feb. 18, at 2 p.m. at the Riverside Ballroom in Green Bay. Tickets are also available at the band’s website or through the AVB Facebook page. For more information about the concerts — including receiving updates from the band about future concerts — see the band’s website at www.avbcommunityband.org. _______________________________ A reminder to mark your calendars! The AVB Community Band’s “A Family Christmas” will be performed on Monday, Dec. 18, at 7 p.m. at the Weidner Center for the Performing Arts on the University of Wisconsin-Green Bay campus. Doors open at 6 p.m. for this annual family-friendly concert. Invite your friends and family to attend this special evening of music sponsored by Bellevue Family Dentistry. The AVB Community Band also hosts a very important collection of canned and dry goods for Paul’s Pantry in Green Bay in the Weidner Center lobby prior to the Christmas concert. Thank you in advance for your generosity to the community!

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