The musicians of the Ontario Chaffey Community Show Band, along with Gary and Miriam Keith, are proud to present “Rhapsody in Blue: The Music of George Gershwin.” The concert is scheduled for Monday, June 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Gardiner W. Spring Auditorium, located on the campus of Chaffey High School, 1245 N. Euclid Ave. in Ontario. The performance is free to the public.

The June concert features a repertoire of George Gershwin’s memorable compositions highlighted by a performance of “Rhapsody in Blue.” Featured soloists include Show Band Assistant Director Pat Arnold, longtime Show Band friend and talented vocal soloist Marilyne Sherwood, guest conductor and violoncello soloist Matthew Keating, and outstanding concert pianist Maria Perez.

The concert will be narrated by David Allen, newspaper columnist for the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, and Alan Wapner, Mayor pro tem for the City of Ontario.

“The Show Band’s program pays tribute to one of the icons of American music whose works spanned across both popular and classical genres,” a news release said. “His enormous body of work, composed in slightly more than two decades, included orchestral compositions such as ‘Rhapsody in Blue,’ ‘Concerto in F,’ and ‘An American in Paris.’ Also works for solo piano, several operas including the groundbreaking Porgy and Bess, 18 Broadway Musicals, and over 500 popular songs.”

Gershwin was born in Brooklyn, New York on September 26, 1898 and passed away in Los Angeles on July 11, 1937 at the age of 38 from a brain tumor.

Sherwood, who has been a vocal soloist on numerous Show Band concerts over the past of two decades, will perform three Gershwin hits, “Embraceable You,” “The Man I Love,” and “Summertime” from the folk opera Porgy and Bess. Arnold will be the featured vocalist on “Our Love is Here to Stay.”

Keating, a gifted violoncellist, teacher, and conductor, will conduct several pieces and also be featured as the solo violoncellist on a special arrangement written for him by Dr. Petrocelli entitled “It Ain’t Necessarily So.”

Perez returns this season to once again entertain Show Band concert goers. Perez will perform Gershwin’s “Prelude #1 for Solo Piano,” “Rhapsody in Blue,” and a special arrangement of “I Got Rhythm.”

Join the show band for a great night of music and invite your family and friends. You can also support the nonprofit by donating to its Hungry Tuba, located in the lobby of the auditorium.

The concert will also be broadcast on local Ontario cable Channel 3, so check your cable listings for the date and time.