Don't Miss: Big Band All-American Concert In Patterson Saturday

PUTNAM COUNTY, NY — Take the whole family to Saturday's free All-American Concert by the Southern Dutchess Concert Band at the Patterson Recreation Center.

This will be the annual concert's 11th year.

"The members of Southern Dutchess Concert Band love performing in this annual 'All-American Concert' because the audience at the Patterson Recreation Center is always very responsive and appreciative, often clapping along and waving flags during our patriotic selections," Bandmaster Dave Cole told Patch. "Most of our other concerts are outdoors, so with this concert being indoors in such a nicely large space, we get to hear each other better without the wind blowing our sound around and the audience is very attentive. Plus: air conditioning!"

The band, which consists of more than 70 local musicians playing woodwind, brass, and percussion, follows the great American tradition originated by the John Philip Sousa Band to entertain audiences with a wide variety of music. It is conducted by Craig Fryer, retired band director from Millbrook Schools. Cole is also director of The Big Band Sound jazz orchestra.

The concert Saturday will feature patriotic tunes, including Irving Berlin's "God Bless America", Broadway showstoppers, including Stephen Sondheim's "Send in the Clowns", the best of Hollywood, including the brassy soundtrack to Pixar's "The Incredibles", pieces by famous American composers, including Leroy Anderson's "Blue Tango", and, of course, rousing marches, including "Semper Fidelis" which John Philip Sousa dedicated to the U.S. Marine Corps. Special selections will include honoring Vietnam Veterans with "Black Granite", a tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen titled "Of Honor and Valor Eternal", and a salute to American military service members, veterans, and their families.

It is held in the Patterson Recreation Center, with convenient parking and handicapped accessibility in addition to that air-conditioning.

The Patterson Recreation Center is located on Front Street, just down from the Patterson Train Station. Take Interstate 84 to Exit 18, then take Route 311 north for 2.9 miles and turn right onto Front Street. Or, take Route 55 east to Route 22 south for 2.7 miles, then turn right onto County Route 311 and turn left onto Front Street after the railroad tracks. The Patterson Recreation Center is on the right, a block past the train station.

The concert is sponsored by The Duffle Bag, a family owned and operated business located on Route 311 in Patterson offering military products and services to the entertainment industry and the public for more than 30 years, and the Town of Patterson.