AVB Community Band kicks off 45th season

The 75-member All-Volunteer Band (AVB), takes the stage for the first of our eight concerts this 2026-2027 season on Monday, Sept. 21, at 7 p.m. The theme is “Sapphire Fanfare & Jubilee.”

Doors to the Ashwaubenon Performing Arts Center (PAC), 2391 S. Ridge Road in Ashwaubenon, open at 6 p.m.

Admission to the concert is at no charge, with donations graciously accepted following the concert.
Perfect for family and friends of all ages, the AVB (All-Volunteer) Community Band’s September concert is sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #224 and supported by sustaining AVB Community Band Donors who are recognized in each concert program, advertisers and audience members who support the band with their donations at each concert.

“We start off September with the concert theme ‘Sapphire Fanfare & Jubilee,’ featuring a wide variety of tunes for an energetic kick-off for our 45th season,” said Mike Ajango, who has been director of the AVB Community Band for 25 years. “The beautiful blue sapphire is the traditional gemstone which celebrates a 45th anniversary. And the word ‘jubilee’ is what best describes a milestone anniversary such as ours,” he said.

The AVB Community Band was originally founded in 1981 by Robert Seering as the Allouez Village Band. He also served as the band’s director for 20 years.

“We thank Bob Seering for living out his dream of creating a community band for Allouez,” said Ajango. A lifelong musician, World War II vet and music educator, he died at age 88 on Oct. 8, 2013.

“As we’ve grown and evolved as an organization to include individuals from many communities, the name ‘AVB’ continues to celebrate our founding and also speaks to the many volunteers from a variety of communities who perform in the band,” said Ajango.

“We thank all of our audience members and supporters who have been on this journey of music with us for nearly 45 years,” he said.

The associate director of the AVB Community Band is Paul Oleksy. The concert narrator is Bruce Deadman.

The concert begins with one of the band’s favorite composers, Richard Saucedo, and his rousing “Into the Clouds,” then moves into a special selection, “Choreography” by composer Robert Sheldon.

“Bright Lights on Broadway” celebrates the Great White Way with music from “Annie Get Your Gun,” “Gypsy” and “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.”

“With Quiet Courage,” by composer Larry Daehn, is a tribute to loved ones we have lost.

The first half closes out with “Star Spangled Spectacular,” and the music of George M. Cohan.
After intermission, celebrate the famous march music of John Philip Sousa with “Semper Fidelis.”

Most people recognize the “diamond song” from the television commercials. It’s really called “Palladio,” composed by Karl Jenkins, and the AVB Community Band will perform a moving version of it.

“Stephen Foster Revisited” features classic American folk songs, including “Old Folks at Home,” “My Old Kentucky Home,” “Oh! Susanna,” “Jeanie with the Light Brown Hair” and “Camptown Races.”

Foster was born on July 4, 1826, in what is now Pittsburgh, Pa. Though he lived only 37 years, he became known as America’s first great composer.

“With Each Sunset” is another moving piece by composer Richard Saucedo.

The concert closes with “Soaring With John Williams,” featuring music from “Superman” and “Star Wars.”

For more information, see our website at avbcommunityband.org or the band’s Facebook page for the latest information at facebook.com/AVBCommunityBand/.