The Moore County Concert band, under the direction of David Seiberling, will perform Sunday, May 24, at 2 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom of the Carolina Hotel. The concert will feature two soloists, pianist Jonathon Maisonpierre, performing George Gershwin's "Rhapsody in Blue," and bass trombonist Ellis Seiberling performing "Zwei Fantasiestucke."

Maisonpierre is currently on the staff at UNC-Pembroke, where he teaches piano, theory and music appreciation. He received his bachelor's degree in music from Ohio Wesleyan University and both master's and doctoral degrees from the University of Maryland. Maisonpierre specializes in music for one piano and four hands. He performs frequently with his wife, Elizabeth. Maisonpierre is currently director of music/organist at Sacred Heart Church in Pinehurst.

Ellis Seiberling is a 2001 graduate of Union Pines High School. He received his bachelor's degree cum laude in bass trombone performance from the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and his master's degree in music from Ohio University. He served as bass trombonist in the Eastern Music Festival Orchestra, the Dublin International Music Festival Orchestra and as a performer with the Kentucky Symphony and the Ohio Valley Symphony.

Edward Lassen's "Zwei Fantasiestucke" ("Two Fantasie Pieces") is a favorite performance piece for bass trombonists. Lassen is a little-known Belgian composer of Danish origin. He spent most of his career working as the musical director at the court in Weimer.

This concert could be considered a Gershwin Festival. George Gershwin was an American composer whose compositions mark the entrance of America into the serious international classical music world. His musicals and popular songs are among the finest in those genres. His art-music compositions are infused with jazz and popular music. At the invitation of the bandleader Paul Whiteman, Gershwin composed "Rhapsody in Blue" (1924) for piano and jazz band in less than three weeks. The piece was premiered Feb. 12, 1924, by Whiteman's band with an added section of strings and George Gershwin on piano. Reviews were mixed. Today, the piece is normally performed with a full orchestra or band backing the piano. However, at this concert David Seiberling has decided to perform the piece with essentially the original instrumentation. The only difference is that the strings will be replaced by flutes and clarinets.

Two additional Gershwin pieces, "Strike up the Band" and "'S Wonderful" are on the program. Also on the program is Anton Dvorak's "Humoreske." According to legend, Gershwin heard it played on the violin by his friend, Maxie Rosenzweig and that encouraged him to play the piano his parents had purchased for his older brother, Ira. In addition, the program includes American composers Alfred Reed's "A Festival Prelude," David Shaffer's "Purple Heart" and Henry Fillmore's "Mt. Healthy March."

Admission to the concerts is free. The band is always looking for additional musicians. If you play or have played an instrument and would like to join the band, call 295-9023 for additional information.

The band's next concert is scheduled at 3 p.m. Saturday, July 4, in the Carolina Hotel's Grand Ballroom.