Marple Newtown Community Band concert to feature accordionist Joseph Soprani
The Marple Newtown Community Band, now in its 23rd year of existence, will present a free performance Dec. 1, 7 p.m., at Congregation Beth Israel in Media.
The group is highly honored to host world-class accordionist Joseph Soprani, who will join esteemed musical director and clarinetist Anthony Wastler in an arrangement of “Il Convegno,” a Amilcare Ponchielli divertimento originally scored for two clarinets. Soprani has rewritten the second clarinet part of Diana Appler’s arrangement, and this modified version will make its premiere.
Soprani is a renowned accordionist, educator, arranger and composer. He received the “U.S Air Force Roger” Award, the most prestigious entertainment award bestowed in the Air Force, and was deemed the U.S. National Accordion Champion and the Alternate Accordion Champion of the World.
Throughout a storied career, he’s performed for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Vice President Richard Nixon, and many other U.S. and world dignitaries, also appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show, Good Morning America with tenor Russell Watson, and The Arthur Godfrey Show. He has accompanied performers as internationally known and diverse as Luciano Pavarotti, Jon Bon Jovi, Nell Carter, and Evelyn de la Rosa. Throughout 2012 to 2014, in celebration of Italian Heritage Night, he performed during game breaks with the Phillie Phanatic atop the home dugout of Citizens Bank Park. He was also the only accordionist in the history of The Philadelphia Orchestra to appear as a featured soloist under Eugene Ormandy. More information about him can be found at his website: www.JoeSoprani.com.
In addition, the program will include works such as Bach’s “Contrapunctus V,” Handel’s “Royal Fireworks Music,” Rachmaninoff’s “Andante Cantabile XVIII,” John Klohr’s “The Billboard March,” selections from Oliver! and West Side Story, holiday works to usher in the Hanukkah and Christmas seasons, and much more.
There will be prizes for a few lucky audience members, and free refreshments for all. Congregation Beth Israel is located at 542 S. New Middletown Road (Route
352) in Media. For more information, go to www.mncb.org or call
610-308-8692.