Local family band set to hit the stage

A family of local musicians plan to entertain the crowd with a variety of musical styles during a Friday night concert in downtown Fort Scott.

Local musicians and music educators Steve and Pat Harry, along with their daughter, Elisa Denning, will perform a free concert at 7:30 p.m., Friday at the Heritage Park Pavilion, located at the corner of First and Main streets. The concert is part of the continuing weekly, three-month Friday night concert series that began May 30 and is sponsored by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Downtown Division.

The trio will play several tunes ranging from songs that were popular during the Big Band era of the 1930s and 1940s, to more modern Broadway hits, a statement from concert co-organizer Ralph Carlson said.

Pat Harry, a Pittsburg State University graduate, completed her postgraduate work at the University of Wichita. Pat has taught vocal music for 36 years, and frequently judges music competitions and clinics. She is currently a vocal music instructor at Fort Scott High School and Fort Scott Middle School.

"Pat's choral groups, over the years, have been truly outstanding," Carlson said. "It is a real pleasure to hear her and her groups, as they are always exceptional."

Her husband, Steve, works at Key Industries as a quality assurance manager. He is a retired band director at FSHS and FSMS who periodically performs on the trumpet at military funerals in the area.

The Harrys' daughter, Elisa Denning, graduated from Kansas State University with a kinesiology degree, and currently works for Corporate Fitness Works in Kansas City as a personal trainer director. Elisa is a trained singer who will sing "Georgia on my Mind," a popular Big Band-era song, and "Think of Me," a romantic ballad from the popular Broadway musical, "Phantom of the Opera," during the Friday concert.

Steve will play "Music of the Night," also from "Phantom of the Opera," and "Memory," another famous show tune from the 1981 Broadway musical, "Cats."

Other songs that the trio plan to perform include "In the Mood," "Moonlight Serenade," Chattanooga Choo Choo," "Alexander's Ragtime Band," "When I Wish Upon a Star," "Hey Jude," "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White," "I've Grown Accustomed To Your Face," and "My Funny Valentine."

Pat Harry, who enjoys performing music by note or ear, will perform selected songs on the piano, while Steve will accompany her on the trumpet.

Carlson, who helped plan the weekly concert series, frequently performs in the area with James "Red" Stradley in a duo called Fuss and Feathers. The two musicians have also entertained audiences with their music during the concert series.

Carlson said he has booked other bands that will be part of upcoming Friday evening concerts at Heritage Park, which will continue through September. The series began May 30 with a performance by the Sekanaires Quartet and Singers.

Attendees are asked to bring their own lawn chairs, as seating is not provided at the event, Carlson said.