The Niles Star

Southshore Band pops concert March 7 in Benton Harbor

The Southshore Concert Band, Southwestern Michigan’s community band, is preparing a very unusual Strictly Pops concert Sunday, March 7. The performance will take place in the Mendel Center’s Upton Hall at Lake Michigan College at 3 p.m. A wide variety of musical selections have been planned which will bring to life a multitude of characters from the Broadway stage and silver screen.

The music for the afternoon’s program has inspired the band members and conductor, Dale Reuss, to masquerade as their favorite characters. Southshore Concert Band invites the audience members to join in the costumed fun at “Strictly Pops VIII: Masquerade.”

This concert, an audience and band member favorite, will feature Broadway medleys from “The Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables” and “Jesus Christ Superstar.” Music from films such as “The Lion King,” “Gettysburg,” “Gladiator” and “Ben-Hur” will be performed as well as “Chillers and Thrillers,” a collection of themes of suspense composed by John Williams comprised of melodies from “Star Wars,” “Jaws,” “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” “The Witches of Eastwick” and “Dracula.” In addition, the program will include music from the Beatles, the New Orleans-style Nearer My God to Thee – music with an Italian and Spanish flavor – and something a little “bluesy.”

Join the band for a toe-tapping afternoon filled with musical fun and a wide variety of costumed characters. Hot and cold hors d’oeuvres will be available at the concert in addition to a cash bar. Tickets are $18 for adults and students and $5 for children 5 and under. For ticket information call (269) 556-0625 or (269) 470-2262.