GILROY
– As part of their 2002-03 concert series, the South Valley
Symphony is proud to bring to Gilroy after an absence of several
years the Pacific Brass Band. The group will perform at the Gilroy
High School Theater at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
GILROY – As part of their 2002-03 concert series, the South Valley Symphony is proud to bring to Gilroy after an absence of several years the Pacific Brass Band. The group will perform at the Gilroy High School Theater at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
The Pacific Brass Band is a “British-style” brass band that was founded in 1990 and gave its first concert in 1991. The concept of a “British-style” brass band is unique in the western United States, with only eight to 10 brass bands in Arizona, Washington and California, not including the Salvation Army.
the band numbers some 37 musicians from Monterey, San Benito, Santa Cruz and Santa Clara counties. Musicians representing Gilroy in the band include Al Tarasco, Susan Miyata, Howard Miyata, Dave Johnson and Jim O’Briant, who also perform with the South Valley Symphony.
The band is led by its founder and bandmaster Gonzalo H. Viales. A graduate of San Francisco State College with a degree in music education and a master’s degree in music, he retired in 1988 from the Salinas Union High School district after serving 22 years as assistant principal and principal of North Salinas High School.
In April 20002, Viales was the recipient of the First Scroll of Honor for Exceptional Service to Bands and Community through Outstanding Leadership form the John Phillip Sousa Foundation of Washington, D.C.
The Central Coast Section of the California Music Educators Association awarded its first Lifetime Achievement Award for Dedication and Excellence in a Lifetime of Service to Music and Music Education in January – that recipient being Viales.
Tickets are now on sale at Porcella’s Music and California Music Company in downtown Gilroy and Snappy Phot, located at 785 First Street. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7 for students. For more information call 842-3934.
