December 18, 2021
An exciting evening of Dancing and Camaraderie in preparation for the 2022 Reenacting Season allowed the Moonlight Serenaders to provide the centerpiece of entertainment for the second year in a row. While this event was placed on hold during the 2020 pandemic, the band pulled out all-the-stops for 2021, bringing the three hundred people attending all to the dance floor. Combined with door prizes, 50/50 raffles and a silent auction, … everyone was in military uniform, the La Pizzaria Restaurant was beautifully decorated for the Christmas holidays, and everyone wanted to dance.
The Moonlight Serenaders worked closely throughout the year with all event planning contributors in making this year’s Christmas Truce Ball larger and even more successful that the first inaugural event. WW ll Reenactors of all Nationalities were treated to a lavish dinner, bringing together all the elements of Fellowship, Armed Forces Tribute and moments of Remembrance.
Appropriate reserved instrumental musical favorites were selected and performed during the Dinner Music Set. This was the perfect background conversation-music for renewing old friendships and creating new ones as the event got started. By the end of the desert, everyone was ready to dance. The Serenaders took the stage once again opening with a medley of two all-time Glenn Miller favorites, Moonlight Serenade and String of Pearls. The energy and excitement grew with In The Mood, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy sung by The Serenaders Sisters, and the addition of some favorite Christmas sing-along tunes. Dance Set number one ended with a special military salute reading, recognizing all present and past military. The faint-distant “Marching Men” percussion instrument crescendo made way to the ever-popular Armed Forces Salute, a medley of all theme songs for the five branches of the Military.
This first standing ovation of the evening indicated…the best was yet to come.
Dance Set number two brought out the program magic of all four vocalists to new heights, performing an array of Big Band favorites, traditional dance-style Christmas songs and a special request for Thanks For The Memory, reminiscent of the Bob Hope USO tours. The demand for an encore featured vocalist Don Howdyshell singing the Lee Greenwood favorite, God Bless The USA which culminated with a military-march-style percussive snare drum duet performed during the final chorus.
Plans are already in development for the December 17. 2022 event, under the direction of Advisor and Commanding Officer, Jim Cassler. Details can be obtained by contacting him about this past and future event, calling him at
330-575-0730 or email: jim@kbprint.us.
Information on booking The Moonlight Serenaders Big Band can be obtained by contacting the Band’s Manager and Producer, John Smith by phone 330-328-8250 or by emailing sevenlitre@lek.net