Baldwin Pops to play April 23 on Fairhope Bluffs

Baldwin Pops to play April 23 on Fairhope Bluffs
GSHS’s Aayush Patel among students picked to play with band

The Baldwin Pops Band will play at Henry George Park in Fairhope at 6 p.m.. This free outdoor concert marks the band’s 19th year participating in the Sunset Series Concerts on the Bluff.
The Baldwin Pops Band sponsors an annual scholarship contest for high school seniors from Baldwin County. Nine students from Fairhope, Gulf Shores, Robertsdale, and Spanish Fort High Schools are participating and performing with the band. The winner of the John Allen Scholarship will be announced at the April 23rd concert.
Those students are: William Illiano, Alto Saxophone, from Fairhope High School, Aayush Patel, Percussion, from Gulf Shores High School; Patricia Langham, Clarinet; Mia Martinez, Flute; Grace Orosco, Trumpet; and Michael Zona, Trombone, from Robertsdale High School; Cole Allen, French Horn; Mary Kathryn Allman, Clarinet; and Erica Lovato, Oboe, from Spanish Fort High School
Guests should bring chairs or blankets and are encouraged to bring a picnic supper. After intermission, there will be a children’s parade with flags and an award for the most interesting picnic setup. Donations for the John Allen Scholarship will be gratefully accepted at the concert or by mailing to Baldwin Pops Band, P.O.Box 38, Fairhope, Alabama 36533.
Dr. Roger Jones will conduct the Baldwin Pops ign performances of Big Band Spectacular, arranged by John Higgins; Danza Brilliante from “Aida” by Giusseppe Verdi; His Honor by Henry Fillmore; Incantation and Dance by John Barnes Chance; An Irish Rhapsody by Clare Grundman; Irish Tune from County Derry by Percy Grainger; March of the Trolls by Edvard Grieg; The Melody Shop by Karl King; and Twelfth Street Rag by Euday L. Bowman.
When he passed away in April of 2003 at age 80, John Allen was the oldest member of the Baldwin Pops. He started playing tuba at the age of 74 in the 6th grade band at Fairhope Middle School. He progressed to the 8th grade band and continued playing with that grade until his death. Allen not only became a student of the tuba, he became an inspiration to his fellow students. When the Baldwin Pops Band formed in 1997, John Allen became a charter member. The scholarship fund was named in memory of him.
More info can be found at baldwinpopsband.com, on Facebook, or by calling 251-987-5757.