You Won’t Believe What Happens at Ontario Chaffey's ‘Salute to Entertainment’ – Is This the Best Show Yet?

The vibrant sounds of musical theater will resonate at Chaffey High School this April as the Ontario Chaffey Community Show Band hosts a captivating performance titled “Salute to Entertainment.” This free concert is set to take place on Monday, April 13, at 7:30 p.m., in the Merton E. Hill Auditorium, located at 1245 N. Euclid Ave., Ontario.

For attendees looking to enhance their concert experience, the evening will kick off with a performance by the Woodwind Celebration Ensemble at 7 p.m. in the auditorium lobby, where free coffee and cookies will be provided to guests.

The concert promises to be a delightful experience, featuring a selection of beloved songs from iconic Broadway musicals. Audience members can look forward to hearing classics such as “What I Did for Love” from A Chorus Line, “On the Street Where You Live” from My Fair Lady, and “The Impossible Dream” from Man of La Mancha.

Highlighting the evening will be guest vocalists Bobby Collins, Emilio Pichardo, and Loren Martinez. Collins, who has graced the stage for over 35 years, has performed in numerous notable productions, including Singing in the Rain, Young Frankenstein, and The Producers. He also serves as the managing artistic director for the Inland Valley Repertory Theatre and is the principal at Rancho Cucamonga Middle School.

Emilio Pichardo, another prominent figure in the lineup, is known for his association with The Seventh Variety quartet and the Westminster Chorus. He brings his expertise as a voice coach for the Inland Pacific Ballet and as a voice instructor at Christian Arts and Theatre in Corona.

Newcomer Loren Martinez has made a name for herself as a soloist across various theater companies and choirs throughout the United States. With her role as a music teacher in the Alta Loma School District and choir director at Water of Life Community Church in Fontana, Martinez is sure to add a fresh and exciting dynamic to the performance.

In addition to the vocal performances, the concert will also feature band member Steve Collins, who will showcase his flugelhorn skills with selected highlights from The Music Man and West Side Story.

For those who cannot attend in person, the concert will be broadcast on local Ontario cable Channel 3, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Founded in 1985 by R. Jack Mercer, the Ontario Chaffey Community Show Band is currently led by Patrick Arnold along with assistant directors David Grasmick and David Schaafsma. The band consists of members from at least two dozen communities across Southern California, reflecting a rich tapestry of local talent. They regularly perform monthly concerts at Chaffey High School and various venues throughout the community.

The band is always looking to expand its roster and welcomes adult and student musicians to join their rehearsals, held every Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at Chaffey High School. For those interested in learning more about the band and its upcoming concerts, additional information can be found on their website at showband.net.