Publication select ▼
WARREN — The Warren Concert Band will be performing a special Mother’s Day showcase on May 11.
The performance features renditions of Morton Gould’s “American Salute,” Gene Milford’s “Heart of Gold March,” Robert W. Smith’s “A Mother’s Hymn,” “Lincoln” arranged by Jay Bocook and Norman Dello Joio’s “Scenes from the Louvre.” Jeremy Duby is the music director for the performance.
“I look forward to the side by side concert every year. It is a great way for the WCB to give back to our community by sharing our music making with area students” said Duby in an email. “These students always bring a great deal of energy to our space, and we are able to offer musical growth to them to take back and share with their home programs. Students also learn about the performance opportunities after high school and have a home group to perform with when they graduate.”
The WCB has had a spring showcase with band students every year since 2017. However, WCB clarinetist Maureen Michaels said it’s rare that the performance falls on Mother’s Day. This year marks the WCB’s 53rd season.
“This is the first Mother’s Day concert by the Warren Concert Band in many years, so we are planning something extra special,” WCB President Bob Hoy said in a press release.
Hoy also mentioned that flowers will be given to all the mothers in attendance at the performance.
The WCB will be accompanied by students from Warren Consolidated, Warren Woods, Fitzgerald, Van Dyke and Center Line school districts.
“The whole thought is nurturing students and getting them exposed to sitting on a beautiful stage with acoustics that are on par with Orchestra Hall in Detroit and a bigger audience,” Michaels said. “It helps to make them feel comfortable. They’re sitting side by side with adults like me.”
“Some of the finest musicians in Michigan come from the Warren Consolidated, Warren Woods, Fitzgerald, Van Dyke and Centerline districts,” Robert Christie, chair of the WCB’s High School Honor Band committee, said in the release. “The audience is going to be in for a real treat. It’s going to be a real delight to see such a large group of talented musicians on stage performing the program we have in store.”
Michaels said the concert will have personal significance for her.
“It’s going to be a very touching concert,” Michaels said. “I’m honoring my mother, my grandmother and my mother-in-law. I chose a piece, ‘Heart of Gold.’”
Michaels said WCB members volunteer their time to the nonprofit. Members from the WCB hail from different parts of metro Detroit and three even come in from Canada. The WCB is funded primarily by ticket sales, advertisers and sponsors.
“It’s a lot of fun,” Michaels said. “I have a blast, I look forward to it every Tuesday when we rehearse.”
The performance will be at 3 p.m. at Warren Woods Middle School Auditorium located at 13400 12 Mile near Schoenherr Road. Admission for adults is $10. Children and students are admitted for half that price when accompanied by a paying adult. Tickets can be purchased at the door with cash or check.
