SUN CITY – When Sun City resident Donna Bressler of N.27 moves her arms, music happens. Of course, one might expect as much from the Sun City Concert Band Director, and with a jam-packed schedule of appearances for the band this spring and summer, Bressler’s arms will be moving a lot, and a lot of wonderful music will be sure to follow each gesture.
Led by Band Director Donna Bressler (foreground, right) N.27, the Sun City Concert Band rehearses at Meadow View Lodge for their upcoming performances. (Photo by Chris LaPelusa/Sun Day)
Beginning Friday, May 7, and continuing through Saturday, September 25, both the Sun City Concert Band and the Let’s Dance! swing band are looking forward to performing at several venues in and around Sun City. The diversity of shows contains myriad arrangements that range from Americana to Greek to big band melodies.
“We play a variety of [music],” Bressler said.
In the American Pops and More concerts on May 13 and 15 that primarily feature music scored by American Composers, Bressler said, “We have a little sidetrack with a Tijuana Brass. But that’s okay, we took a little trip to Mexico.”
What: Sun City Concert Band and Let’s Dance! swing band
To Join: Visit any regular practice session at 2:30 p.m. every Wednesday at Meadow View Lodge.
Fees: $5/year
Schedule:
Friday, May 7 – 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Let’s Dance! swing band performs at the Huntley High School Fine Arts Boosters Fundraiser
Monday, May 10 – 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. Let’s Dance! swing band performs at Dundee Senior Center
Thursday, May 13 – 7 p.m. Sun City Concert Band performs “American Pops and More”
Saturday, May 15 – 1 p.m. Sun City Concert Band performs “American Pops and More”
Thursday, May 20 – 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. Let’s Dance! swing band performs in Drendel Ballroom
Tuesday, May 25 – 7 p.m. Sun City Concert Band will perform with Heineman Middle School band at Huntley High School
Sunday, June 27 – 11 a.m. to noon Sun City concert band performs at the annual Golf Cart Parade
Sunday, September 12 – Noon-ish Sun City Concert Band performs at Scandinavian Fest in at Vasa Park in South Elgin. (Exact time to be announced.)
Saturday, September 25 – 2 p.m. to 2:45 p.m. Sun City Concert Band performs at Huntley Fall Fest in Diecke Park
For ticket information on all listed play dates, please contact Cheryl Rotermund at 847-961-5905 or Donna Bressler at 847-669-7373.
Both bands are currently in rehearsal sessions, meticulously practicing, tweaking, and preparing arrangements in Meadow View Lodge every Wednesday, which are sure to entertain the musical styles and tastes of all audiences.
“And everybody practices on their own at home,” Bressler said. “There’s not one person in the band that isn’t committed to doing the best they can.”
Bressler said that, except for the tuba and the percussion, every instrument is owned by its player.
“It’s a huge [feeling] to have all of these [members] excited about making music and enjoying music,” Bressler said, noting that the vast majority of members joined the bands after a 20- to 30-year sabbatical from playing.
Bressler is especially proud of the bands’ commitment to the greater Huntley Community, as they regularly perform at various venues throughout the year away from Sun City.
“We represent the community outside this community,” said Bressler. “We bring the lifestyle of Sun City outside the community.”
Bressler said the Sun City Concert Band originated roughly six or seven years ago with 11 members. Bressler has been the director for about five years. In her time leading the band, she has seen membership grow to 50 (and the swing band grow to 18). Bressler describes both bands as being very active, performing year-round, and breaking for only two or three weeks after the Christmas concert, which, Bressler said, is a tremendous display of group effort.
“One of the definitions of music is that it’s organized cacophony,” Bressler said. “The reality is, everybody can relate to noise, and when you put it all together in right combinations … everybody can like some part of it.”
