Great Big Band performs Thursday at The Poncan Theatre

The "Great Big Band" from Perry will perform a free concert at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 26, at The Poncan Theatre. Doors open at 6 p.m.

This is the fifth time the Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council is hosting this popular group led by bandleader Bill Rotter.

Rotter said the group will perform a different program from their usual repertoire.

Most of the arrangements for this show will be from the 1960s. The 19-piece orchestra will perform four selections from the Maynard Ferguson library, along with songs by Bill Chase, Richard Fritz, Jim Croce, Chicago and the Carpenters.

Five members of the band are Ponca City alumni.

Playing trumpet are Steve Carr, Kendale and Kori Benton; trombone, Duncan Coons and Dan Letourneau on guitar.

Also featured will be the "Big Band" vocalist, Sheila Ulhman, doing a variety of selections during the evening.

The band is completing its 12th year and this is their fifth appearance in Ponca City.

John Deken will emcee the show and Kevin Kendrick is the sound technician for the band.

There will be no admission charged for this performance and everyone should enjoy the big band sound playing a different and exciting program.

Ponca City Arts and Humanities Council, a non-profit arts organization, was formed in 1986 to provide free arts events to the community. It is the council’s 30th anniversary, aided by the generous financial support of local individual donors and businesses such as: Phillips 66, Osage Casino, RCB Bank, Martin Jean and Jackson, Pemberton Chevrolet, D & P Tank Service, Ponca City Tourism and Humanity Hospice.