August 23, 2013 - Our Lady of Lourdes Church Festival Utica NY

 This was our third time we’ve played a concert at Our Lady of Lourdes for their annual Church Bazaar. We played a two-hour concert during their famous Friday night fish fry.

We had a large band – 38 musicians including 17 reeds, 17 brass, and 4 percussionists, which supplied a full, rich sound.

The weather could not have been finer – cool and clear as the sun went down.

The audience was packed – sitting at picnic tables and on lawn chairs – some just milling around the grounds.

Although the Church has many Italian Parishioners – it is not considered an Italian Parish. Our director, Arlene, plans the concert program to include popular Italian songs such as themes from “Summertime in Venice”, “La Strada” and “Anema e Core” along with old time American favorites such as “East Side/West Side”, “Bicycle Built for Two”, and “The Band Played On”. All are perfect selections for a summer’s eve concert.

We ended the evening with patriotic selections including “The Stars and Stripes Forever” with an excellent piccolo duet by Barb Seaton and Varnum Harris.

There is something for everyone at Our Lady of Lourdes Festival – numerous food tents, a rummage sale, rides, games and lots of “LIVE” music.

Thank you Lourdes, for having us once again.

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Our Lady of Lourdes

VIVA LA BANDA ROSSA!!!