Bill Raffel gets ready to travel with Tonawanda's American Legion BandBy Bill Raffel, WBFO
Buffalo, NY – A local band is preparing for their most important performance of the year. Good morning. I'm Bill Raffel with Music Notes.
The American Legion Band of the Tonawandas has been the American Legion's National Senior Band Champion a dozen times, including the past two years. And that title is up for grabs again this Saturday in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Normally, the band rehearses once a week. But Band President Dave Abrahamian says that schedule will now become more intense.
And this medley of Glen Miller favorites is one of the selections on the new CD by the American Legion Band of the Tonawandas, Post 264 called "Let's Dance." You can purchase it any of the band's concerts, or by stopping by the Legion Hall on Main Street in the City of Tonawanda.
Now unless you're attending the American Legion's national convention, you won't be able to see the band compete. But I'll have that honor. I've been asked to the band's master of ceremonies, filling-in for their regular announcer Brad Steiger. As a drop-out from the Boy Scouts, I'm a bit worried about that dress inspection. But we wish members the best of luck, as they board the bus for North Carolina on Tuesday night. Thanks to Band President Dave Abrahamian for joining us on Music Notes.
Now in Western New York this week, the Buffalo City Ballet dances at noon (Monday, 8/19) at One M and T Plaza downtown. And tonight at 7:30 p.m., the Chautauqua Opera closes its season with The Merry Widow sung in English in Norton Hall. Tonight in the Amphitheatre, the Wildcat Regiment Brass Band performs at 8:15 p.m.
The Chautauqua Symphony wraps up the summer tomorrow (Tue 8/20) at 8:15 with Soprano Helen Donath singing Richard Strauss's Four Last Songs. Music Director Uriel Segal also leads Strauss's Don Juan along with Mozart's 39th Symphony.
Theatre Organist Father Andrew Rogers is in concert Wednesday (8/21) at the Riviera Theatre in North Tonawanda. There's a 1:30 p.m. matinee in addition to the 7:30 p.m. performance.
And the Amherst Symphony performs in the Amherst State Park on Mill Street Friday (8/23) at 7 p.m.