The YMCA will hold its fifth annual benefit concert in Hollister
tomorrow featuring the Pacific Brass band, a chance to listen enjoy
an afternoon of music while helping an organization that provides
safe activities for local kids.
Hollister – The YMCA will hold its fifth annual benefit concert in Hollister tomorrow featuring the Pacific Brass band, a chance to listen enjoy an afternoon of music while helping an organization that provides safe activities for local kids.
“There will be a variety of music on Sunday afternoon that has the appeal to draw kids, adults and seniors,” said YMCA Executive Director Lou Bettencourt. “And they get to help the YMCA.”
Last year the concert drew about 175 people, according to Bettencourt. This time around, Bettencourt said they’d like to see even more people attend what he said will be a fun family event.
Tickets to the concert, which will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Hollister, will be $15 for adults and $10 for kids and seniors, and be available at the door.
Pacific Brass, which is comprised of 33 members from San Benito, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties, has participated in the fundraiser for the past five years. The band’s repertoire includes traditional brass band music, American folk songs, rags, marches and selections from musical theater.
On Sunday, Pacific Brass will play Amazing Grace, Stars and Stripes Forever, a medley of George Gershwin music and a variety of other marches, hymns and other pieces.
“It’s a broad, varied program,” said band member Bob Bouchard, who also sits on the YMCA board. “There’s something for everybody.”
Bouchard said he and his fellow band members are always eager for a chance to play, and doing it to benefit a group like the YMCA makes the music even sweeter.
“It’s an outlet for us,” he said. “And at the same time Sunday’s program will have another purpose: raise money for the YMCA and make an enjoyable afternoon.”
While Bettencourt said the primary purpose of the concert is to provide an event for families to attend, he said the YMCA hopes to raise between $2,000 to $3,000 from the concert. The money will go to various activities, including after-school and summer camp programs, and to financial assistance for kids who can’t afford the fees to participate in YMCA programs, according to Bettencourt.
The after-school program, which is held at Spring Grove, Ladd Lane, Sunnyslope and San Juan schools, provides kids with a healthy snack, homework assistance, sports and other activities. Each school has varying programs and fees. The summer camp program is a day camp that takes kids on various field trips.
For more information about the concert or programs offered by the YMCA of San Benito County, call 637-8600.
Luke Roney covers local government and the environment for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at [email protected]
