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Release Date: 
Thursday, January 9, 2020

Big Band, Bop & Pop concert Jan. 25

Event Date: 
Sat, 01/25/2020 - 8:00pm
Rick Goward directs the Big Band
Rick Goward directs the Big Band

The HFC Big Band, Bop & Pop concert is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020 at 8:00 p.m. at the Michael A. Guido Theater in the Ford Community & Performing Arts Center, 15801 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. HFC will present the concert with special patron sponsorship by the Rotary Club of Dearborn.

Money goes to college scholarships

College scholarships awarded each year to deserving students are an important commitment of our Rotary Club of Dearborn. Scholarship money and other learning activities will be funded through this annual event.

“This is one of our biggest fundraisers of the year. Over the past few years, we’ve given away more than $60,000 in scholarship money for students in Dearborn, many of whom are attending HFC,” said Rotary Club president Dr. Eric Rader, a political science professor at HFC.

Performing old favorites and current hits

The HFC Big Band and Midnight Blue music ensembles will perform many audience favorites, including music from:
• West Side Story
• Ocean’s Eleven
• Chicago
• The Beatles

“We’ll also play tunes from the big band era, including ‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ and ‘Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree.’ I’m always excited about this concert,” said Rick Goward, founder and director of the HFC Big Band.

Award-winning members performing in this concert include young professional musicians, music educators, and traditional-aged music students who enroll at HFC to continue their performance opportunities.

Showcasing some of the best musical talent in Dearborn

HFC’s music programs showcase some of the best talent in the area at this event. Midnight Blue, under the direction of Bonnie Shippling, is an accomplished vocal jazz ensemble that performs the most challenging vocal jazz arrangements with the Big Band, their own trio, or a cappella. Midnight Blue has joined forces with the Big Band for many special performances.

Founded in 1981, the HFC Big Band has performed at major jazz festivals throughout the world. The Big Band performed at four presidential inaugural celebrations in Washington, D.C., and recently returned from an overseas tour in 2019. In addition to concerts, the Big Band performs numerous dance engagements throughout the year.

Tickets

Tickets are $25 to $35. To purchase tickets:

For questions or more information, contact Rick Goward at rgoward@hfcc.edu.