‘Pops’ goes the new director
The Allan Hancock College Pops season opens with a new band director for the first time in 40 years. Greg Stoll has taken over baton duties from retiring longtime band leader Gary Thompson to lead the first concert of the season at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 11 at First Baptist Church, 2970 Santa Maria Way in Santa Maria.
Stoll, formerly the assistant band director, has been a member of the concert band for more than 10 years. His wife and father are both band members. Stoll currently teaches and was previously the band director at Cabrillo High School. For the inaugural performance, he will lead the band in a variety of musical numbers, including selections from the Broadway musical Cats; show tunes by Irving Berlin; Southwest Saga, Op. 25 by Robert Sheldon; music from the movie Air Force One, by Jerry Goldsmith; and more.
Tickets cost $10 for general admission, $5 for seniors, Allan Hancock College staffers, faculty members, and students. For more information, call 1-866-DIAL AHC, Ext. 3252.
Minnesota duo will play 3rd Coast Cafe
Bill and Kate Isles are Minnesota-based singer-songwriters with Matching Baggage, which is the title of their latest CD. The husband-and-wife folksingers will perform at 7 p.m. on Oct. 15 as the featured act on the songwriters showcase held at 3rd Coast Cafe;, 323 Town Center West in Santa Maria.
There’s no cover charge, but donations will be welcomed during the featured set. Other guest performers include the duo of Gary Foshee and Mike Dougherty, Dustin Schmidt, and Steve Key, who is also the host of the weekly showcase at the cafe;.
Bill is a well-known singer/songwriter in the Minnesota acoustic scene. Kate was a closet singer/songwriter, full-time wine representative, and dedicated single mom when she came to a CD release concert for Bill’s first CD.
Their relationship began soon afterward, with afternoon sessions with guitars, harmonies, and coffee. They married in 2004, began touring together, and recorded a duet album, which includes several songs they’ve co-written. For more information about the musicians, visit billisles.com. For more information about the venue, visit 3rdcoast cafe.net or call 347-7799.
Arts Editor Shelly Cone compiled this week’s Arts Briefs. Send items for consideration to scone@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Oct 9-16, 2008.