Marcellus Central School District News: The DeSantis Orchestra to perform in benefit concert at Marcellus

To help the Marcellus High School music department raise money for classroom technology upgrades – and propel the growing program’s momentum forward – the 13-piece DeSantis Orchestra will perform a benefit concert Sept. 29 in the high school auditorium.

Tickets are $15 ($10 for students) and available online at www.showtix4u.com and in-person from Marcellus music students. Tickets also will be sold at the door Sept. 29.

The "Music is Key" concert, featuring vocalists Keith Condon, Ronnie Leigh and Maria DeSantis, as well as performances by Marcellus High School music teachers Brian Ackles and Michael Cirmo and student Adina Martin, will include everything from big band to Motown to contemporary songs from such artists as Adele, Michael Jackson and Alicia Keys.

“There is absolutely music for every age,” DeSantis said. “We command the decades from the ‘30s or ‘40s right up to the present time. That’s how we work.”

The benefit concert represents an encore performance of sorts.
Last May, vocalist and band leader Maria DeSantis, jazz saxophonist Joe Riposo and the orchestra’s rhythm section treated Marcellus music students to a concert and jazz clinic, thanks to a $2,000 grant “art$TART: CNY Grants for Learning In and Through the Arts,” a local funding program administered by the Cultural Resources Council.

Marcellus music teachers Michael
Cirmo (left) and Brian Ackles.

This month’s concert will continue that collaboration, DeSantis said.

“This will be an addendum to what we did back in May,” she said. “I think it’s going to be interesting for them to see what we do as a working dance band. We want to have a concert that will not only be entertaining but hopefully raise some money for the music program.”

Money raised from concert ticket sales and sponsorships will go toward equipment upgrades, including a multimedia projector and computer music workstations, in the school’s vocal and band rooms, Mr. Ackles said.

The vocal music room now relies on a mish-mash of sound equipment, some of which Mr. Ackles brought from home, including stereo components and a pair of 15-year-old electronic keyboards.

“The community has always been very supportive of the music program,” Ackles said. “By coming out to the Sept. 29 concert, residents can support us and treat themselves to a fantastic show featuring a true Central New York musical treasure.”

Sponsorships available
To help the concert reach its fundraising goal, event organizers are seeking sponsors. Sponsors will receive a free ticket and be listed in the concert program under the following categories: