Stirring Marches, Band Classics and Popular Tunes. Strike Up The McCallum Theatre Band!

The McCallum Theatre Concert Band returns for its 5th annual performance on Sunday, March 26, at 3:00pm. This year's program with Gershwin's classic "An American in Paris" will be conducted by McCallum Theatre President and CEO Mitch Gershenfeld. It's an afternoon performance for the entire family with 40 of Hollywood's finest musicians playing stirring marches, band classics and popular tunes. This year's guest conductor Sylvia Gregoire will conduct the "Stars and Stripes Forever March" by John Philip Sousa. And, of course, there is free ice cream for everyone after the show.

The McCallum Theatre Concert Band brings together the finest musicians, all of whom work in the Los Angeles area, playing for film and television as well as symphony orchestras, operas and ballets. "There was a time in this country when most towns had concert bands," Mitch commented, "and I thought the McCallum Theatre should honor that tradition with our own concert band." In bringing together the Concert Band, Mitch says, "We have an ensemble of such skill and experience that even John Philip Sousa himself would be in awe! You're heard these musicians in countless movies and television shows and we're thrilled they will be on our stage again this year for this concert."

Mitch Gershenfeld began his career as a musician in his hometown of Philadelphia, and performed with symphony orchestras, Broadway road companies and in recording studios. As a performer, he worked with artists ranging from Leonard Bernstein and Zubin Mehta to Ray Charles and Henry Mancini. He taught music at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Denver. He has conducted orchestras and theatrical productions, and was the Music Producer for the Cultural Olympiad of the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. "I loved playing in concert bands growing up," Mitch says, "and that led me to a career in music, which led to arts management and, ultimately, to the McCallum Theatre." Mitch joined the McCallum Theater in 2000 as Director of Operations and Presentations and in 2012 became President and CEO of the McCallum Theatre.

Tickets for this performance are priced at $47, $37, $27 and $22. Tickets are available at the Theatre's website at www.mccallumtheatre.com or by calling the McCallum Theatre Box Office at (760) 340-ARTS.

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