Another year has arrived at the Uptown Music Collective and with that another exciting performance season on the horizon. Over the years the school’s performance program has become the public face of the non-profit school of music. Clearly demonstrating the success of its high-quality music education programs, by providing the community professional level entertainment at an affordable ticket price. The school and its students, who continue to excel generation after generation, pride themselves on making each performance season better than the last and this year is no exception.

The Collective’s season will kick off on November 16th and 17th at the Community Arts Center in Williamsport with More Than A Feeling: 70’s Arena Rock. The 1970’s are considered by most to be the original classic rock era, and few bands capture the magic of that time period better than bands like Boston, Journey, Foreigner, Kansas, and Styx. With More Than a Feeling, the Uptown Music Collective will pay tribute to the kings of arena rock, featuring all of the hits from these groundbreaking bands, including Foreplay/Longtime, Don’t Stop Believing, Cold as Ice, Carry On Wayward Son, Come Sail Away, and many more.

On January 19th, 2019, for one night only, the students of the UMC will come together on the stage of the Community Arts Center along with alumni, instructors, and special guests to present 25 Or 6 To 4: The Music of Chicago & Friends. The powerful blend of loud guitars and powerful brass instruments has fueled some of rocks best music. In 25 Or 6 To 4, the students of the Uptown Music Collective will harness this traditional rock sound to bring to the stage the music of legendary bands Chicago, and Blood Sweat and Tears. Along with the funky music of Earth Wind and Fire, Tower of Power, and a special, soul-stirring tribute to the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. This will be the Collective’s annual fundraiser show which raises funds for Scholarships and Program Support for the nonprofit school of music.

On February 21st, 22nd, and 23rd, 2019 the Collective will once again return to Williamsport’s Community Theatre League to present Women of Pop: 21st Century Divas for four performances. Women are the fabric on which 21st Century Pop Music is being written. Modern Divas like Adele, Alicia Keys, Kelly Clarkson, Beyoncé, and more are pumping out hit song after hit song, forever changing the landscape of modern music. In this intimate and exhilarating performance, the Collective will unleash its powerful group of female vocalists in a tribute to some of today’s most successful singers.

Rounding out the Collective’s season will be Runnin’ Down A Dream: The Music of Tom Petty on April 12th and 13th, 2019 at the Community Arts Center. Tom Petty’s honest and relatable songs will surely lead him to someday be recognized as one of the great American songwriters. In the final show of their performance season, the students of the Uptown Music Collective will pay tribute to the legacy of Tom Petty. Performing hits from his extensive catalog, including songs from his work with Heartbreakers, the Traveling Wilburys, and his solo career.

The Collective is in the process of seeking sponsorships for this performance season from businesses, organizations, or individuals in the community. Sponsorship dollars underwrite the cost of UMC performances; including theater rental, stage build outs, in-house technical and stage crew labor, costumes, equipment costs, and more. Allowing the show’s ticket sales to go directly to help fund the programs that teach these 10-18-year-old students the musical skills, confidence, and showmanship so clearly displayed on stage. If you have any interest in becoming a performance season sponsor, please contact the Uptown Music Collective.

Tickets for the Collective’s Community Arts Center performances will be made available for purchase through the CAC’s website, as well as their mobile app. “We are extremely excited to once again be able to offer our tickets online thanks to the Community Arts Center,” says UMC Assistant Executive Director, Jared Mondell. “Having the ability to sell our Arts Center show tickets on both the CAC’s website and the app is an extremely easy and convenient way for our fans to get tickets for our CAC performances.”

Advanced tickets for the 2018-2019 performance season are on sale now on the Community Arts Center website (www.caclive.com) and app as well as the Community Theatre League’s website (www.ctlshows.com). For the complete list of ticket vendors, sponsors, and other details about these shows visit uptownmusic.org or call 570-329-0888. Also, visit the Collective’s official Facebook page, as well as other Collective social media outlets for teasers, previews, behind the scenes info and more throughout the 2018-2019 performance season.