Presidio Brass, a five-member brass ensemble from San Diego, Calif., is back. After a popular residency last year, the Marshall County Arts Cooperative decided to bring the group back for an extended stay.
The musicians will work with students in all four county high schools, they will give a free concert in Frankfort, and they will perform with the Marshall County Community Big Band Friday night at the “Marshall County Canteen: Big Band Swing and Dance.”
Local educators are excited to have the top-notch musicians and educators lead workshops with their students.
“To the kids these guys are like rock stars,” said Jamie Minneman, band teacher in the Marysville schools. “For me, as the teacher, I am just grateful for the opportunity for the kids to hear such great tone and to see how a lot of hard work can really pay off.”
Presidio Brass was to spend Wednesday morning working with Minneman’s band students.
The brass musicians were to work with Axtell students Wednesday afternoon, and they will be in the Frankfort schools Thursday.
On Friday the group will travel to Valley Heights to work with student musicians. “Our bands are very excited about Presidio Brass coming to our schools,” said Kim Oatney, band teacher. “The fifth through eighth grade band members have never been exposed to brass players of this caliber and this will be perfect timing for helping the high school band with their contest pieces. We can’t wait.”
In addition to their work in the schools they will give a public concert “… And All That Brass!” Thursday, April 12, at 7:00 p.m. at the Frankfort United Methodist Church. Admission is free. The concert features Broadway show tunes from “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Chicago,” “Candide, “The Wizard of Oz,” and “West Side Story.”
Before the concert members of the Frankfort Development Trust will have a baked potato bar in the church basement from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Potatoes, a variety of toppings, drinks, and desserts will be served for a freewill donation.
Friday’s Canteen is sold out; tickets will not be for sale at the USO-style show. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Landoll hangar, Marysville Municipal Airport, with the Marshall County Community Band playing patriotic tunes.
Evelyn Vaubel, a professional ballroom dancer, will be on the dance from from 7 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. to offer dance tips. Vaubel competed in American Ballroom and International Latin Ballroom with dance partner Manuel Vega. She went on the teach ballroom dancing in Dallas, Texas, Houston, Texas, and Wichita, Kan.
The dance floor will fill at 7:30 p.m. when members of Presidio Brass and the Marshall County Community Big Band perform songs from the Great American Songbook until 10 p.m.
Local vendors will sell homemade pie and ice cream, brats and sauerkraut, ham and cheese sliders, potato chips, popcorn, wine, and beer. Complimentary coffee and water will be served.
The Canteen is sponsored by the arts cooperative and Landoll Corporation.
For more information people may go to the arts cooperative’s website marshallcountyarts.org.
