Three Rivers Community Band Festival

The 10th annual Three Rivers Community Band Festival will bring together three of the best community bands in the Western Pennsylvania region, plus an all-new festival band. The festival is scheduled for 2:30 – 5:00 PM on Saturday, April 27, 2013 at the spectacular Upper St. Clair Theater, which is located in Upper St. Clair High School. Theater doors open at 1:45 PM. WQED-FM’s Jim Cunningham also returns this year as the program host. Best of all admission is free. Contributions to support the festival are greatly appreciated, but not required.

The Three Rivers Community Band Festival is truly a showcase of the many musically talented individuals in the region, and the concert promises a medley of music that will appeal to a wide range of musical tastes. Community Band South represents the South Hills communities. This brass, woodwind and percussion band of over 80 members is co-directed by Dean Streator, former teacher of Instrumental Music at Bethel Park High School, and James Bennett, retired Director of Bands and Chairman of Fine Arts from the Upper St. Clair School District. Since its premier concert on December 14, 1987 at Upper St. Clair High School, Community Band South has been entertaining audiences throughout the communities from which its membership is drawn, performing an average of 12 concerts each year.

Also participating is the East Winds Symphonic Band, founding band of the festival. Joining the festival this year as our regional guest band will be the Metropolitan Italian Symphonic Band from the West Hills area of Pittsburgh. 

The 4^th band will be the “ultimate community band”, made up of musicians from over 50 community bands in Allegheny County and 10 other counties in the region. The 2013 Festival Band will perform selections under the baton of guest conductor Samuel R. Hazo, world-renowned Pittsburgh composer and music educator. Their performance will be the exciting kick-off to a wonderful afternoon of music. 

Festival goers are invited to enjoy free light refreshments after the concert as well as having an opportunity to meet and greet the musicians. For more information about the Three Rivers Community Band Festival, visit the web site at www.ewsb.org/festival.