Voetberg Family to showcase muscial variety
FLORENCE — The Voetberg
Family Band virtually defines “family
entertainment.” The internationally
acclaimed Voetbergs are eight sib-
lings, ages 15 to 25, whose show dis-
plays a cohesive variety of musical
styles and astounding musical skills
way beyond their years.
Among their many styles is Irish
music, just in time to start St. Patrick’s
Day celebrations with an authentic,
musical flavor.
The Voetbergs play Sunday, March
15, at 2 p.m., at the Florence Events
Center.
As classically trained musicians,
each band member possesses a unique
versatility on a variety of instruments
— from piano to flute to mandolin and
more. Many are either state or nation-
al age-group fiddling champions.
The Voetbergs perform American
swing, jazz and classical music, as
well as traditional Irish and Scottish
tunes, and have all been coached by
several world-class musicians.
Each member practices each of their
instruments at least an hour every day
and list as their influences a range of
artists from Frank Sinatra to Taylor
Swift.
“To say that the Voetberg family is
unique, wonderful, talented, entertaining,
and a joy is to not quite do them justice,”
says Floyd Domino, a two-time Grammy
award winning pianist and advisor to the
Voetbergs.
“These youngsters are great entertain-
COURTESY PHOTO
The Voetberg Family Band will perform at the Florence Events Center on March 15.
ers,” says SEAcoast producer Ken
Henderson. “They have an obvious and
infectious love of music and for life.
They perform with great passion and joy,
and will probably be one of your favorite
family bands of all time.”
The young family members confess
that sometimes it is hard to practice
because they want to do other things, but
had they pursued typical youthful dis-
tractions they would not be able to enjoy
being state and/or national fiddle cham-
pions and touring the world.
To young people tempted to quit, they
say “don’t, the hard work always pays
off.”
They credit their parents, and each
other, for the encouragement that drives
them to excellence.
SEAcoast Entertainment Association
is presenting the concert; and as part of
their ongoing community enrichment
program has coordinated a special per-
formance and talk by the Voetbergs just
for Siuslaw Middle School students on
Monday, March 16.
Individual tickets for concerts are $30
per adult and $10 for those under 18.
Tickets are available online at
SEAcoastEA.org or at the Florence
Events Center box office, 715 Quince
St.; or by phone at 541-997-1994.
Artist profiles, video clips, and more
information
are
available
at
SeacoastEA.org.
Tickets for all performances can be
purchased online at SEAcoastEA.org, or
by calling the FEC box office at 541-
997-1994.
Oregon Coast Community Orchestra announces 2015 concert series
FLORENCE — The Oregon Coast
Chamber Orchestra is proud to present its
winter 2015 concert series “For the
Fallen: The Lost Composers of World
War I,” a program featuring the works of
composers and lyricists who were all
casualties of that war.
The summer of 2014 marked the 100th
anniversary of the beginning of World
War I — a 19th century war fought with
20th century weapons. The war caused
the loss of an entire generation. One can
only speculate on what they might have
accomplished.
A stanza from a poem by Robert
Laurence Binyon (1869-1943), published
10 • C OAST
in The Times of London on 21st
September 1914 is a fitting tribute.
“They shall grow not old, as we that
are left grow old: Age shall not weary
them, nor the years condemn. At the
going down of the sun and in the morn-
ing We will remember them.”
This unique concert will feature many
works not heard since the death of these
composers. The orchestra extends its
thanks to librarians, arrangers and web-
masters from around the world — their
assistance has made this concert possi-
ble.
The following composers and lyricist
will be featured:
C ENTRAL • Arts & Entertainment • MARCH 2015
Alberic Magnard, civilian, France,
killed 1914; William Denis Browne, sub
Lieutenant, England, Killed in Action
1915; Enrique Granados, civilian, Spain,
killed 1916; George Wilkinson, sergeant,
England, Killed in Action 1916; Francis
Warren, second lieutenant, England,
Killed in Action 1916; George
Butterworth, second lieutenant, England,
Killed in Action 1916; Frederick Kelly,
lieutenant commander, Australia, Killed
in Action 1916; Fernand Halphen, cap-
tain, France, Died in Action 1917; Lena
Ford, civilian, United States, killed 1918;
Herbert Matheson, second lieutenant,
England, Killed in Action 1918; Cecil
Coles, sergeant-bandmaster, Scotland,
Killed in Action 1918; Ernest Farrar, sec-
ond lieutenant, England, Killed in Action
1918.
Performances will take place on the
following dates:
• Sunday, March 8, at 2 p.m. at the
Florence Community Baptist Church
• Sunday, March 15, at 2 p.m., at the
Reedsport Church of God
Tickets for adults are $10, available at
the door.
Students and children are admitted
free.
Visit www.occorchestra.org or call
541-997-3727 for more details.