Each concert presented by the Arlington Heights Community Concert Band has a theme and its next one on Sunday is no different. In an unusual twist, the band will perform music from familiar PBS TV shows, which they expect families in the audience will recognize and enjoy hearing more than a sound bite.
The Arlington Heights Community Concert band playing at the Arlington Heights Farmers Market
The concert takes place at 3 p.m. Sunday at Forest View Educational Center in Arlington Heights. As with all of their concerts, admission is free.
A few of the selections include themes from the Muppet Show, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Masterpiece Theatre andDowntown Abbey, for starters.
“From sweeping historical dramas to uplifting educational favorites, audiences will experience the soundtracks that have accompanied some of the most powerful storytelling on television,” says Judy Shimkus, Band President. “This concert honors the spirit of PBS — curiosity, creativity and community.”
This performance also will feature an “instrument petting zoo,” for children and adults alike to see and hold the different instruments.
“The instrument petting zoo is another way for the audience to actually see our instruments up close,” Shimkus adds. “It also helps younger kids who may be interested n playing an instrument at some point, the chance to see different instruments.”
The Arlington Heights Community Concert Band has performed in the village for 46 years, at a number of different venues, from North School Park and the Arlington Heights Farmer’s Market, to Harmony Park and its home base, Forest View Educational Center.
Its 90 members vary in age and come from a variety of backgrounds. They play under the direction of Pietro Pisello, who assumed the role of director in 2021.
Pietro Pisello has directed the band since 2021
Pisello describes the musicianship in his band as very high, played mostly by community members who love playing their instruments and want to keep music and band part of their lives.
“All of them have played at least through high school,” Pisello says, “and maybe about a third of them also played in college.”
As their director, Pisello is an experienced musician, having led marching, concert, pep and jazz bands at the high school and middle school levels. He currently serves as Director of Bands at Chippewa Middle School in Des Plaines, by day, but he enjoys working at night with these motivated community members who want to keep playing.
The full Arlington Heights Concert Band
“We don’t have a grueling audition process, and we don’t cut people,” Pisello says. “We meet people where they are at and help them become better, while still keeping a high standard of musicianship.”
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