Bonita Springs Concert Band to play Dec. 13

The first free concert of the season by the Bonita Springs Concert Band will be Sunday, Dec. 13 at 2 p.m. at Riverside Park in downtown Old Bonita.
Guest soloist Mark Sanders will perform “Santa meets Sousa,” and “Til I Hear You Sing Once More,” arranged by Rick DeJonge. DeJonge, who has been a popular guest conductor of the band in the past, will conduct this Christmas treat.
The concert will follow the CDC Covid guidelines. The band will be reduced down to 45 members and be socially distanced. They ask the audience to social distance as well and to wear a mask while walking in and out of the park.
Other songs include: “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” “Greensleeves,” “Tis the Season,” “Fantasy on Deck the Halls” and other great holiday tunes.
Originally from Marion, IL, Mark spent 15 years in NYC and now calls Fort Myers home. He has appeared in numerous productions and concerts around the world. He was seen as Perchik on the Broadway national tour of Fiddler On The Roof starring Theodore Bikel. He has become a favorite vocalist with the Gulf Coast Symphony performing at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers, having shared the stage with Broadway stars Lisa Vroman, Christiane Noll, Melissa Errico, Morgan James, Doug LaBreque, and starred in symphony productions of Carousel, South Pacific and Oklahoma.
Regionally, he has performed at such prestigious theatres as Lincoln Center, Goodspeed Opera House, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and Sacramento Music Circus. Credits include: Mamma Mia (Harry), Memphis, Bridges Of Madison County (Bud), Passion (Col. Ricci), Ragtime (Father), Murder Ballad (Michael – Carbonell Award), Next To Normal (Dan), Merrily We Roll Along (Charlie), A Little Night Music, The Secret Garden (Archibald), Music Man with Jeff Goldblum, Jesus Christ Superstar, Blood Brothers, Phantom, Miss Saigon and Jekyll & Hyde.
The Bonita Springs Concert Band is under the direction of Gary Smith who retired after 24 years as conductor of the University of Illinois Marching Illini Band. This is the seventh season that Gary has led the band.
Gary says “the talent of these musicians is tremendous, ranging in age from 15 to 94.”
Become a “Friend of the Band” for just $50. Find out more about the band at www.bonitaspringsconcertband.org.