Bonita Springs Concert Band in Bonita Springs

Bonita Springs Concert Band

Bonita Springs Concert Band
Christmas Concert, Riverside Park, 2 PM
Guest Soloist Mark Sanders
Rick DeJonge Guest Conductor

The first free concert of the season by the Bonita Springs Concert Band will be a Christmas concert, Sunday, December 13th, at 2 p.m. at Riverside Park in downtown Old Bonita. Guest soloist Mark Sanders will perform “Santa meets Sousa,” and “Til I Hear You Sing Once More”, arranged by Rick DeJonge. DeJonge, who has been a popular guest conductor of the band in the past will conduct this Christmas treat.

The concert will follow the CDC Covid guidelines. The band will be winnowed down to 45 members and be socially distanced. We ask our audience to social distance as well. And please wear a mask while walking in and out of the Park. There will be no intermission.

Other songs include: “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer”, “Greensleeves”, “Tis the Season”, “Fantasy on Deck the Halls”, and other great holiday tunes.

Mark Sanders
Originally from Marion, IL, Mark spent 15 years in NYC and now calls Fort Myers home. He has appeared in numerous productions and concerts around the world. He was seen as Perchik on the Broadway National Tour of Fiddler On The Roof starring Theodore Bikel. He has become a favorite vocalist with the Gulf Coast Symphony performing at the Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall in Fort Myers, having shared the stage with Broadway stars Lisa Vroman, Christiane Noll, Melissa Errico, Morgan James, Doug LaBreque, and starred in symphony productions of Carousel, South Pacific and Oklahoma.
Regionally, he has performed at such prestigious theatres as Lincoln Center, Goodspeed Opera House, Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, and Sacramento Music Circus. Credits include: Mamma Mia (Harry), Memphis, Bridges Of Madison County (Bud), Passion (Col. Ricci), Ragtime (Father), Murder Ballad (Michael – Carbonell Award), Next To Normal (Dan), Merrily We Roll Along (Charlie), A Little Night Music, The Secret Garden (Archibald), Music Man with Jeff Goldblum, Jesus Christ Superstar, Blood Brothers, Phantom, Miss Saigon and Jekyll & Hyde.
The Bonita Springs Concert Band is under the direction of Gary Smith who retired after 24 years as conductor of the University of Illinois Marching Illini Band. This is the 7th season that Gary has led the band. Gary says “the talent of these musicians is tremendous, ranging in age from 15 to 94.”

Become a “Friend of the Band” for just $50. Find out more at www.bonitaspringsconcertband.org. Bring your family or a friend Sunday, December 13th, at 2 PM, at Riverside Park.

Categories: Performing Arts