Orchestras from Local Schools to Perform at Special McKechnie Field Event

BRADFENTON – The Pittsburgh Pirates and Bradenton Marauders will present “Concert in the Park” at McKechnie Field on Saturday, October 19. Orchestras from Manatee High School, Braden River High School, and five Manatee County middle schools will participate. The participating middle schools are Braden River Middle School, Haile Middle School, King Middle School, Lee Middle School, and Nolan Middle School. Gates will open at 5:00 p.m., and the music will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Tickets for “Concert in the Park” at McKechnie Field cost $10 per family. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or in advance at any of the participating schools. Proceeds from the concert will benefit the Manatee County Schools’ Orchestra Program. Concessions will be available for sale inside McKechnie Field.

More than 400 students will be performing among the seven orchestras. The money raised will help purchase new music and cover the cost of acquiring and maintaining instruments.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to blend orchestral music and baseball,” David Pope, the Director of Orchestras at Manatee High School, said. “We will present a variety of non-traditional orchestra music in a very non-traditional orchestra atmosphere.”

The show will feature music that fits the setting, including ballpark favorites like “Y.M.C.A.” and “The Final Countdown”, in addition to traditional orchestra pieces.