Markham Concert Band presents a Family Halloween Party

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October 10, 2019

Markham Concert Band presents a Family Halloween Party

Markham Concert Band kicks off their 42nd season on October 20th with a “Hallowe’en Party” concert at FLATO Markham Theatre. Children under twelve are admitted free with an adult and the show promises to be fun for all ages.

"We've got terrific costume-worthy music for this concert," said band president Heather Wardell. "The band members will be dressed up for Hallowe'en and the audience is welcome to wear their costumes too. They'll hear The Lone Ranger theme, an amazing 'Superhero Medley' of music from the recent Marvel movies, and the adorable tunes from the Japanese animated movie 'My Neighbor Totoro', plus other movie music and a few slightly more serious pieces too."

While the music is, of course, a focus, the band also makes use of video on the Theatre’s large backdrop screen, which will help keep kids’ attention. The event will also include a colouring station and an instrument demonstration where kids can meet some of the musicians they’ll see on stage and try out an instrument or two, and they’ll go home with goodie bags as well.

Parents will enjoy the ample free parking at the Theatre and the opportunity to give their children the real theatre experience without paying for their tickets. (For those over 12, tickets are $26 for adults and $21 for seniors/students.) They will also enjoy the band’s performance of a medley of music from the 1970s and a “Chillers and Thrillers” arrangement of John Williams’ music from such movies as “Star Wars” and “Jaws”.

https://childslife.ca/event/mcbs-halloween-party/

Founded in 1978, Markham Concert Band is one of the largest and longest-running concert bands in Canada. It performs four shows annually at the Theatre and can be seen outdoors in the warmer months at events such as the Unionville Festival, the Markham Fair, and the recent celebration of Markham’s 225th anniversary at the Markham Museum.

The band’s 65 members are all amateur musicians, ranging in age from 16 to 85 and from all sorts of backgrounds and career paths, and the band has won top honours at nearly every competition it’s attended.

"We take our music seriously," said Wardell, who plays drums with the band, "but we also really want our shows to be fun for the audience. This isn't the kind of show where you'll be judged for clapping in the 'wrong' place, although we might tease you a little. But only a little. We consider our audience to be part of our family and we make sure that our shows feel that way. If you've never heard us before this is a great show, to begin with, and if you have we'd love to have you back again."

Joining the band for several pieces is local singer Jessica Ducharme. Jessica has appeared in numerous theatrical productions throughout Southwestern Ontario and most recently in the GTA, and will be starring as Karen Andre in “The Night of January 16th” at the FLATO Markham Theatre (November 20-23). Jessica will be singing music from “Les Miz” and “Wicked” with the band.