Quantico Marine Band Coming to Avon Lake High School

Get your tickets now.

Last year, when a smaller version of the band (the Quantico Marine Jazz Ensemble Concert) came to the Performing Arts Center, the show was a near sell out.

This year, the full 52-piece band will play a free concert at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, May 18. And although the concert is free, tickets are required.

Event organizer Bob Schneider, whose son Cpl. Rob Schneider previously performed with the band, said the date was just finalized. Rob Schneider, who performed a solo at last year’s Avon Lake concert, completed his tour and is currently in the Marine Corp active reserves. 

“Working with Gunnery Sgt. Mike Stanley, we were able to secure May 18 for the Avon Lake concert,” Bob Schneider said. May 18 is a change from previously mentioned dates and is final.

Last year, Schneider told Avon Lake Patch editor Lori Switaj that the concert is a great opportunity for the community to see the talent the band has to offer. His son is no longer playing with the band, but Schneider maintained his contacts.

“The reason my wife and I organize this concert to allow us in northern Ohio that may not every attend a Marine concert to appreciate that these Marines are truly artists and very proficient in playing their instruments,” Schneider said in May 2010. “These men are from all over the United States and are the cream of the crop. These Marines are a fine example of our military.”

The Quantico Marine Band is coming to the Cleveland area the week of May 15 in preparation for the May 21 annual Cleveland International Police Tattoo, an annual event of music, pageantry and dance performances celebrating those in uniform.

The school system is opening its doors to the band in part due to previous Marine concert’s success. This year marks the first time the concert will be held during the week.

“This is the first time we have held our concert on a week day evening,” Schneider said this week. “This way the school children can attend.” 

The band this year is the full concert band, which travels with 52 personnel. The music will be more of the traditional marches and patriotic music. 

“If people remember the first concert from three years ago, the music will be of a similar nature,” Schneider said.” 

The concert is free and open to the public. Tickets are required for admission.

“The Performing Arts Center holds 967 people, Schneider said. “The last two years we did not have many empty seats. I expect the ticket requests to be rapid again. We are already getting phone calls which is so gratifying.”

Councilmen Larry Meiners, Dave Kos and Daniel Bucci all have tickets. Judi Kostelansky at the high school also has tickets.  People can email Schneider with their request at cantor9@live.com for tickets or call 440-933-2469  and leave a message. The tickets will be in will call unless it's easier to them up. 

The doors will open at 6 p.m. to allow for seating. Kos, who is a former Marine, will have the Marine Corps Legion in attendance to greet and assist in ushering. The Avon Knights of Columbus will assist in the ticket collections and seating.