August 27, 2019 – Wenatchee, WA: Numerica Performing Arts Center kicks off the 2019-2020 Season with THE WORLD FAMOUS GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA on September 18 at 7:30pm, sponsored by Ford & Marlys Barret and Wild Birds Unlimited of Wenatchee. Appealing to both old and new audiences, this has become a must-see show for jazz and swing fans alike.
The legendary Glenn Miller was one of the most successful of all dance bandleaders back in the Swing Era of the 1930’s and 1940’s. In 1942, at the height of its popularity, Glenn disbanded his musical organization to volunteer for the Army. There, he organized and led the Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band. In December 1944, Major Miller took off in a single engine plane to France, disappearing over the English Channel, never to be seen again.
With the release of the major motion movie The Glenn Miller Story, featuring Jimmy Stewart and June Allyson in 1954, interest and popular demand led the Miller Estate to authorize the formation of the present Glenn Miller Orchestra. In 1956, under the direction of drummer Ray McKinley, who had become the unofficial leader of the Army Air Force Band after Glenn’s disappearance, the reformed Glenn Miller Orchestra performed its first concert and has been on the road ever since. Other leaders have followed Ray including clarinetists Buddy DeFranco and Peanuts Hucko, trombonists Buddy Morrow, Jimmy Henderson, Larry O’Brien and Gary Tole, and tenor saxophonist Dick Gerhart. Since January 2012, vocalist Nick Hilscher leads the band.
Today, the 18-member ensemble continues to play many of the original Miller arrangements both from the civilian band and the AAFB libraries. Additionally, it also plays some more modern selections arranged and performed in the Miller style and sound. Just as it was in Glenn’s day, the Glenn Miller Orchestra today is still the most sought after big band in the world.
This performance is supported by Mike & Sheila Salmon, Dave Sandy Gellatly, and media supporter Sunny FM. Tickets are $34-$38 with discounts for seniors ($32-$36) and youth ($28-$32) and increased prices on show day. For tickets, call 509-663-ARTS, go to www.numericapac.org, or visit the Box Office at the Stanley Civic Center, lower lobby.
The Numerica Performing Arts Center at the Stanley Civic Center is a non-profit organization and naming partner with Numerica Credit Union.
