Arts & Entertainment
Hundreds Attend South County Hospital Benefit Concert
The Wakefield Concert Band anticipates thousands will be raised for the South County Hospital ICU.
Over 500 people attended Wakefield Concert Band’s Fourth Annual Benefit Concert Sunday afternoon at the South Kingstown High School.
Proceeds from the concert will go to specialized equipment for South County Hospital’s intensive care unit.
“Raising money for the hospital helps everyone,” said Barry Lieberman, conductor of the Wakefield Concert Band. “We are thrilled to be doing so.”
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The Band has raised over $15,000 for the Hospital since 2008. Band members noted the importance of giving back to the community.
“We take every opportunity we can to play and when we can do something good on top of that, all the better,” said Stanley Baran, a professor of communications at Bryant University who plays tenor saxophone for the band.
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“It’s been certainly a huge success,” said Donna Neville, vice president of development for South County Hospital. “It brings the community together in a meaningful way, helping to raise needed dollars for our intensive care unit.”
“It’s been great and it keeps getting better and better,” said Carol Luciano, who has attended every benefit concert thus far. “We are lucky in this town to have it.”
Families continue to come out and support their musicians and this cause annually as well. “It’s excellent and well-attended,” Diane Kern said of the concert. Her daughter plays the flute in the Band.
World-renowned conductor and musician Anthony Maiello also attended, leading the Band in two pieces and playing the accordion in a third. When he is not traveling for conducting gigs, Maiello is a professor of music at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.
“Tony is a very accomplished band director,” Lieberman said. “We are very fortunate we could have him.”
The Wakefield Concert Band is different from most concert ensembles, playing a variety of music ranging from classic big band to show tunes and marches, appealing to many different musical tastes.
Currently comprised of nearly 80 members of all ages and professions, the Band has tripled in size since 2000 when Lieberman began conducting, and is always looking for new members.
According to Lieberman, the Band plans to continue with its annual benefits for the Hospital.
“Everyone is so supportive of what we do,” he said.
