Series is a celebration of creativity and community

Aconcert series will celebrate, entertain and inspire in honor of the century anniversary of the Newcomerstown Middle School building.

The building was constructed in 1923 and opened in 1924 as a high school. The kickoff celebration was held last September, and the concert series will continue through May.

The concert events are part of the ARTSNCT’s free Arts for Art series, made possible by grants from the Tuscarawas Arts Partnership, Tuscarawas County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Newcomerstown Grants Assistance Program, and the Thomas R. Little Memorial Fund.

The Trumpet in the Land singers will perform Feb. 15 at 7 p.m. at the middle school, 325 W. State St., Newcomerstown.

ARTSNCT Director Michael Wise is looking forward to their performance.

“This is our first year bringing Trumpet here,” Wise said.

The groups’ show, “Trumpet Does Broadway,” will have the singers performing songs from hit shows including some from Disney. The group features Kami Stanley, DeeAnne McCoy, Bart Herman, Ken Holmes, Larry Sams and Missy Zickel.

The shows in the free Arts for Art series were designed to appeal to the entire family. The auditorium seats 400, and plenty of parking is available.

On March 15 at 7 p.m., a comedy show, “Showcase of Adequate Acting,” by the Little Theatre Original Productions will take the stage.

“We’ve worked with the Little Theatre before. They have come here and put on shows for us,” Wise said.

On April 12 at 1 p.m., the Dover High School Steel Drum Band and Jazz Band will perform in concert. Though they have performed in Newcomerstown in various outdoor concerts, the weather won’t be a concern as they perform in the middle school auditorium.

The last concert in the series will focus solely on the history of Newcomerstown’s own Manuel Yingling, who was born and attended school in the village.

“The Yingling concert, that’s just a dream,” Wise said. “A professional orchestra is doing these original orchestrations in period uniform. You can’t beat it.”

American Musical Productions of Canton, which has a 20-piece orchestra, will present the last show in the series on May 17 at 2 p.m.

“They do professional concerts all throughout the state, and they’ll pick a different musician or composer or something that’s relevant and do a full concert,” Wise said. “They found a program of a Manuel Yingling 1923 concert, and they’re recreating that entire program.”

Yingling was a world-renowned trombonist from Newcomerstown.

“He was a featured trombonist in many different bands and in Philip Sousa Band in 1920,” Wise said. “He was a composer, and he ran a music store here in Newcomerstown.”

The family talent doesn’t end there. Yingling’s nephew was famous designer Norman Bel Geddes, who designed the futuristic exhibits at the 1939 World’s Fair. Bel Geddes also worked in the music store for his uncle. Bel Geddes’ daughter, actress Barbara Bel Geddes, was most famous for her portrayal of Miss Ellie Ewing on the show “Dallas.”

Wise invites everyone to attend the Arts for Art concert series and support their community.

“Where else can you get shows of this quality for free?” Wise said.

Wise has seen an increase in interest and participation in the arts since ARTSNCT opened in the village. He has been surprised at what will motivate young artists. Last year, as a fluke, ARTSNCT held a contest for their mascot, Schmuey, a Blue Quaker Parrot, for his 13th birthday. Each piece had to include an image of Schmuey.

“Every single class in every single school submitted. We had so many pieces of art,” Wise said, adding many adults participated too.

Each year they hold a pizza box art contest in October for National Pizza Month and get hundreds of entries. ARTSNCT also offers Art Club to students in Newcomerstown Schools after-school program. Activities will begin again in March.