Concert in the Park - 2009 Summer Series By: Bill Tennant [Click here to print article] Concert in the Park - 2009 Summer Series Co-Sponsored by the Clinton County Arts Council & the City of St. Johns The Shell Programming Committee, made up of members of the Clinton County Arts Council, met in March to select groups for this summer’s Concert in the Park series. The committee looks for quality groups that offer a nice mix for the summer. They want to include mostly local groups, rotating groups in and out of the schedule – not having groups for the most part perform more than two years in a row. Last year, ten out of the eleven performances had Clinton County residents involved. This Year 11 Wednesday Concerts – June 17 – August 26 - Starting at 7:00 p.m. Rain or Shine 4 encore performances from last summer – 6 new groups – plus the Clinton County Idol All groups include mid-Michigan residents 10 of the 11 groups include Clinton County residents Encore performances this summer include the DeWitt Community Concert Band with founder/conductor Pat Jackson taking the podium for the very last time, the Mid-Michigan Festival Orchestra under the direction of Rodney Page, the Capital City Chordsmen – an outstanding barbershop chorus, and a repeat appearance by the king himself, Elvis, one of our most popular concerts ever. Slingshot, a new classic rock/country group on the scene, opens this year’s series with John Kelly as their leader. Jerry Mitchell will have his classic rock band Conchord on stage after last appearing in 2006. Jagwire Country, a new county group with Louie Longoria will be jointly sponsored with the 4-H Fair, with last year’s Clinton County Idol winner, Luke Cyrus performing a nice variety of music with his full band. Three special programs have been planned this summer. The world-renowned Millennium Brass, a brass quintet, will be featured on July 8. This professional group of brass players from around the US performs throughout the world and has several recording available. The group includes on French Horn, SJHS graduate Lisa Ormston Bontrager, currently the French Horn professor at Penn State University. Second will be a fully staged production of the hit Broadway musical “Grease” under the direction of SJHS Director of Theatre, Ashley Bowen. This production will take place on August 19 and will include a cast and pit orchestra of local residents. And back by popular demand will be the second edition of the highly successful Clinton County Idol Show with the preliminary round taking place on Tuesday, July 14 and the finals the next evening on the 15th. One of the most popular events from last year, this year’s show will crown the best of Clinton County 2009. Information and applications can be obtained at the Clinton County Arts Council Gallery, 211 N. Clinton in downtown St. Johns or at the St. Johns City Offices in the Clinton County Courthouse, or downloaded from their web sites. For further information, please call 989-224-8159 or 989-224-6134. The St. Johns City Park is the place to be on Wednesday evenings throughout the summer. The Lion’s Club will also have food available at each of the performances. So, bring a chair or blanket and join us each and every Wednesday for a wonderful performance. 2009 Concert in the Park Series St. Johns City Park Performance Shell Wednesdays — 7:00 pm June 17 – CLASSIC ROCK & COUNTRY – Slingshot June 24 – BAND – DeWitt Community Concert Band July 1 – CLASSIC ROCK – Conchord with Jerry Mitchell July 8 – BRASS QUINTET – Millennium Brass July 14 – CLINTON COUNTY IDOL – Preliminary Round (Tues.) July 15 - CLINTON COUNTY IDOL – Finals July 22 – ORCHESTRA – Mid-Michigan Festival Orchestra July 29 – COUNTRY – Jagwire Country with Louie Longoria Aug. 5 – BARBERSHOP CHORUS – Capital City Chordsmen Aug. 12 – VARIETY – Luke Cyrus Band Aug. 19 – GREASE – Musical Production Aug. 26 – ELVIS IMPERSONATER – Matt King All concerts will be held rain or shine The “Concert in the Park” Series is presented annually by the Clinton County Arts Council & City of St. Johns Lions Club – Food Booth Clinton County 4-H – July 29 Joint Sponsor This season is also made possible with the support of: MCACA Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs NEA National Endowment for the Arts