North Coast Symphonic Band: Suites & Pieces, Novelty & Bits

The North Coast Symphonic Band performs a program of “Suites & Pieces, Novelty & Bits” at its 2 p.m. concert Sunday, April 13, at the Liberty Theatre. “Have you ever visited a bakery with so many tasty sweets and treats that it was hard to choose?” asks Conductor Terry Dahlgren. “There will be lots of ear candy ranging from the serious and grand to the danceable and the humorous.” Selections include Gerald Finzi’s “Lyric Suite,” which marries the styles of Gustav Holst and Ralph Vaughn Williams in tuneful perfection. Or move your feet to 1930s jazz style in Robert Buckley’s “Jitterbug!” and Henry Mancini’s “The Swing March.” “Whether you enjoy a samba or marches, we know you’ll enjoy the delicious variety!” Dahlgren said. Doors open at 1 p.m. and Northwest Flute Trio will provide prelude music starting at 1:30 p.m. The band encourages audiences to purchase admission tickets in advance for $15 at the Liberty Theatre Box Office from 2 to 5:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays or online at www.libertyastoria.showare.com. Tickets purchased the day of the concert are $20. High school students are admitted free; admission for middle school students and younger is free with a paying adult. The Liberty is located on the corner of 12th and Commercial streets in Astoria. The NCSB is a nonprofit community performing arts group composed of local musicians of all ages who enjoy networking, learning from each other, and maintaining their skill levels in a positive and supportive environment. The NCSB performs four concerts per year at the historic Liberty Theatre in Astoria. The next performance will be the annual free concert Thursday, July 3, 2025. Rehearsals are from 7 to 9 p.m. Mondays at the Charlene Larsen Center for the Performing Arts (PAC) in Astoria. The band is currently full, but players come and go. Musicians interested in joining should get on the wait list by sending an email to Personnel Director Lee Stromquist at encore1@charter.net or call (503) 861-1328. Potential new members should read music, own their own instruments, and have advanced high school level performance skills or higher. For more information on the band and its 45th season, visit www.northcoastsymphonicband.org, e-mail cablebri@charter.net, or call (503) 298-1087.