Bronxville Pops Concert Band Albert Mingrone Memorial Series Enjoyed by Music Lovers

By Stephen E. Lipken

The Third Bronxville Pops Concert Band Albert Mingrone Memorial Series was held on the Bronxville High School Great Lawn on Wednesday, July 20th.  

Mr. Mingrone, 90, who formed the Bronxville Pops Band in 1974 passed away unexpectedly on May 2, 2022.  In 2014 Albert was presented with a certificate of recognition from the Village of Bronxville, recognizing 40 years of providing music to the community.  At Bronxville he was the Director of Bands and taught Instrumental Music for 28 years to students from elementary, Junior High and High Schools.

Conducted by Alan Hollander, the concert began with “My Fair Lady,” leading into Irving Berlin’s immortal “Alexander’s Ragtime Band,” featuring the trumpet section. 

Musical memories of World War II were portrayed with such tunes as “It’s Been a Long, Long Time;” “Thanks for the Memory;” Bell Bottom Trousers;” “Bluebirds Over the White Cliffs of Dover;” “I’ll Be Seeing You;” “Don’t Sit Under the Apple Tree” interspersed with “One O’Clock Jump,” plus “Praise the Lord and Pass the Ammunition.”  

Audience participation was encouraged with the playing of Edwin Franko Goldman’s “On the Mall.”

Then Bronxville Middle and High School Band Director Uma Karkala rendered an alto saxophone solo, “Harlem Nocturne,” accompanied by the band.  

The program concluded with the rousing “Stars and Stripes Forever” march by John Phillip Sousa.   

In a small corner of the field, Community Engagement Coordinator Mario Scarano, New York-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital gave out small tote bags carrying pens, sunscreen lotion packets and NYP literature, saying that NYP will host free oral cancer health screening with Columbia University College of Dental Medicine on Friday, August 26th, 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. on 55 Palmer Avenue, Bronxville, NY 10708.

To make an appointment, contact Dayana Lysaght at 914-787-6019; email dal9139@nyp.org.