Celebrate America with a Patriotic Concert Today

The Richmond County Orchestra (RCO), under the direction of Maestro Alan Aurelia, presents: Celebrate America: Patriotic Concert, a patriotic compilation of songs honoring our nation's rich musical heritage. The show is sponsored by Gateway Community Outreach on the ground of The Church at Gateway. The program includes a full orchestral performance of favorites such as God Bless America, sung by RCO fan favorite Alison Madill; Stars and Stripes Forever, God Bless the USA with some equally poignant songs performed by Pastor Timothy J. Mercaldo such as Bring him Home from Les Miserables.

The performance is Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 6 PM at Church at the Gateway, 200 Boscombe ave, Staten Island, NY. Admission: $15 in advance, $20 at the door, Free for Veterans; children & Students (with ID) For information call: 718-966-4500 or visit http://gcny.org/CELEBRATE-AMERICA. About the featured performers: Pastor Timothy J. Mercaldo joined the staff of then Gateway Cathedral, Staten Island, NY in 1986 after completing undergraduate studies at The King's College and Moody Bible Institute. After graduating with a degree in Bible-Theology and Greek, he took on responsibilities in the college and worship/arts ministry. He is lead Pastor of the 50 year old Church at the Gateway.

As a South Shore Rotarian he ran three marathons, to raise monies and awareness for the "end Polio now" project. Mercaldo and his wife, AnnMarie, have been married and serving in ministry together for 29 years. They raised four daughters, three of which are now married. He is enjoying is newest role as "Papa" to three grandchildren.

Alison Madill received an undergraduate degree in music from West Virginia University as well as a masters in music from Bowling Green State University. She has performed as a young artist with the Toledo Opera and was a featured performed with The Huron Playhouse and Emerald Island Repertory Theater.

She has sung with the Charleston Symphony Orchestra as well as the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra. She has studied at the Austrian- American Mozart Academy in Salzberg Austria where she performed such roles as Die Konigan Der Nacht from die Zauberflute and Valencienne from Die Lustige Witwe. She is currently splits her time between raising her family, working on Wall Street and working as the creative arts assistant for the Church at the Gateway in Staten Island.

The program includes: Star Spangled Banner;Hoe Down by Arron Copland; 1812 Overture by Pyotr Tchaikovsky; Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber;Our Armed Forces arr. by TSgt. Jason (Marc) Oliver USAF (ret.),John Williams Medley by John Williams, God Bless America by Irving Berlin arr. by Chris Rinnaman Bring him Home from Les Miserables, God bless the USA by Chris Rinaman and Stars and Stripes Forever by Philip Sousa.

Founded in 1998, under the direction of Maestro Alan Aurelia, The Richmond County Orchestra continues its effort to enhance the musical and cultural life of Staten Island and strives to inspire a love of music through a presentation of the classical repertoire and programming that encourages interaction with audience members. The orchestra offers live performances in the three council districts of Staten Island, presenting works of living composers as well as music from the past, providing its listeners with an opportunity to explore a new artistic language. In addition, the RCO offers educational innovations designed to capture the interest of young students who want to pursue a career in music.

Musicians from the RCO have gone into high schools and coached students in after-school programs which have culminated in Side-By-Side concerts with the students and the Orchestra. The popularity of the RCO has grown so much over the years that they have been called upon to perform in various venues throughout the tristate area, including the Guggenheim Museum, the Museum of Natural History, Fairfield University, Washington Square Park, Asbury Park and more. Tickets to all Richmond County Orchestra concerts are free for students and children.

https://youtu.be/iNINBdSnk8Q