The 2026 Summer Serenades series had an exciting start on July 7 when 550 people attended the RPO’s performance at SUNY Brockport’s SERC. New associate conductor and native Hawaiian Jake Taniguchi led his first RPO concert, starting with a lively John Williams piece, “The Cowboys” Overture, followed by fellow Hawaiian Michael-Tomas Foumai’s “Raise Hawaiki.” An emotional highlight of the evening was Robert Lowden’s “Armed Forces Salute.” Veterans were asked to stand when the music representing their service organization was played, with unending respectful applause heard for each. The audience and musicians were all visibly moved.
The Village of Brockport/SUNY Brockport collaborative evening was a huge success. Hopefully, funding can be procured to enable the RPO to perform again next year. Many local donors contributed generously to Summer Serenades this year, and grants from the NYS Canal Corporation and the Rochester Area Community Foundation, specifically for the RPO concert, made it possible. As always, all of the Serenades events are presented without charge to attendees.
The first canal side 2026 Serenade, the Big Mike and the Motivators performance on July 16, brought another favorite group to the Welcome Center. New for this season is the July 23 performance with the Joey Stempien Big Band. Stempien’s talent as a musician and arranger/composer was evident as a Brockport High School student not many years ago.
Joey Stempien is now a Rochester-based composer, bandleader, and jazz pianist whose visceral lyricism and evocative orchestrations have earned national attention. Published for big band at 17, his works have been performed by U.S. Navy Commodores, Eastman Jazz Ensemble, and U.S. Army Field Band Jazz Ambassadors.
The Joey Stempien Big Band (JSBB) is now considered Rochester’s elite young big band. Founded out of the University of Rochester and Eastman School of Music community, JSBB brings together some of the region’s top student and emerging professional musicians. The group has already shared the stage with acclaimed artists such as Carlos Eiene, Jon Hatamiya, Bill Tiberio, and Jimmie Highsmith Jr., and its members are quickly establishing themselves on the national jazz scene.
JSBB specializes in high-energy performances of Stempien’s original music and arrangements of jazz standards, known for their visceral lyricism, colorful orchestrations, and modern edge. The band’s repertoire blends tradition and innovation, honoring the big band lineage while pushing it forward with fresh contemporary writing. Learn more about the band athttps://joeystempien.com/joey-stempien-big-band.
The July 30 Serenade is with another very popular group, Feedback, bringing yet another great opportunity for listening and dancing all evening. Reminder – the start time in July is 7 p.m.; the August start time changes to 6:30 p.m. to align with the earlier sunset.
The rain location for Summer Serenades is St Luke’s Episcopal Church on Main Street.
Information is available online at https://brockportny.gov or by calling the Village office at 585-637-5300 ext. 112.
Provided information and photo
