GALION — A big band swing concert for the Roof Project for the historic Gill House will be held Sunday, Jan. 26 at the First United Church of Christ at 248 Harding Way West in Galion.
The concert will begin at 6 p.m. The concert will be presented by one of north central Ohio’s leading big bands, The Shawshank Big Band under the direction of Mr. Damian Boyd.
The historic Gill House is a historic home near the heart of Galion. The home was built by B. B. Gill, a member of a prominent family of early Galion, in the early 20th century. The home was designed for Gill by the noted Detroit architect Louis Kamper.
The home earns its place in history by being one of the last homes designed by Kamper and having been visited by Henry Ford and Thomas Edison among others from American history.
The home is currently undergoing renovation by Preserving Galion, Inc. This Sunday Concert is to help raise funds for a major project at the Gill House to restore and repair the roof.
The Shawshank Big Band plays the great music from the Swing Era. The band is under the direction of Damian Boyd, a noted area trombonist. The band is composed of talented area musicians from across north Central Ohio.
The band was formed to keep alive this great music and uses many transcriptions to give the same sound as the famous big bands.
The concert is part of the music ministry of the First United Church of Christ. The church host monthly concerts featuring the Shawshank Big Band with proceeds being split by the Big Band and the designated organization.
“We hope to have a good crowd to hear some great music and to support a good cause,” said Brian Treisch, a member of the Band of the First Church.
This concert will be held in the sanctuary of the church and is open to the public free of charge.
A freewill donation is requested. The donation is split by the Band and The Gill House Roof Project. Doors will open to the public at 5:30 p.m.