CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The Cville Band has released its summer season at the Paramount Theater. This season’s three free performances will be held on June 30, July 23, and August 13 with an open rehearsal on June 29.

The June 29 rehearsal features U.S. Army Field Band rapper Staff Sergeant Nicholas “Nicco” Feemster, who will host a hip-hop program featuring a video presentation, Q&A, interactive rap exercises with the audience, and a rehearsal performance. SSG Feemster will then perform as a special guest at the Band’s free concert the next day.

The June 30 show as a whole is the Family Pops Concert which will include Disney and TV themes along with recent Broadway selections. In addition to SSGT Feemster, the guest soloists are alto saxophonist and Band member Bonnie Slater and vocalist Laura Lazarevic.

The band’s Classics Program, which takes place on July 23, will include pieces conducted by Band members Gary Fagan, Charles Torian, and Charles Vaughan. Annie Meng, the 2024 Competition winner, will return to perform Mozart’s Bassoon Concerto. As always, Cville Band’s Instrument Petting Zoo will be operating at the foot of the stage before the performance, so families with younger children can see and touch some of the instruments in the Band.

The Cville Band closes out the season on August 13 with its Great American Songbook Meets Big Band Jazz show, which features music from the great composers of the mid-century jazz explosion. Guest soloists include vocalists Doug Schneider, Dan Barrale, Jessica Wiseman, and Rita Dove. Also performing with the Band will be saxophone great Michael Elswick, and trumpeter Ray Caddell.

The events are free and require no advance registration.