VERO BEACH — On Monday, December 20 at 7:30 pm former members of the Vero Beach High School Jazz Band program will present a Jazz Benefit Concert in the Performing Arts Center on the campus of Vero Beach High School. Admission to the concert is free; donations are requested.
There are no advance ticket sales and seating will be on a first come and availability basis. Doors will open 45 minutes prior to the performance. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Sheila Knight Sammons Memorial Scholarship Fund.
The concert is being organized by Mike Sammons and will feature past members of the VBHS Jazz Band from 1980 to present, many of who are now prominent professional musicians. Some of those scheduled to perform are Mike Sammons, Travis Heath, Chuck DeCosa, Chris Vlangas, and many more.
Selections to be performed include classics such as In The Mood, Birdland, Chameleon, A-Train, Satin Doll, Over the Rainbow, Basie Straight Ahead, Straight – No Chaser, Big Noise From Winnetka, and One O’clock Jump to name a few.
The Sheila Knight Sammons Memorial Scholarship, under the auspices of the Fighting Indians Band Boosters and the SKS Scholarship Trust Committee, honors the memory of Sheila Knight Sammons who served as Associate Band Director at Vero Beach High School from the mid 1980’s until her untimely passing in 1995. It provides funds for deserving graduating members of the Vero Beach High School Band to assist with college tuition and related expenses.
The scholarship also provides funds for current members of the Vero Beach High School Band to attend special summer camps or workshops held at various universities to further their musical skills. Those applying for the collegiate scholarship do not have to be music majors to qualify.