CSHS band director Brian Quakenbush will act as guest conductor at an upcoming Winds of the Blue Ridge concert. SWoCo / File photo

Brian Quakenbush, band director at Cave Spring High School, has been asked to act as guest conductor at an upcoming concert by Winds of the Blue Ridge.

Several members of the ensemble, who reside in areas all across the Roanoke Valley, specifically requested Quakenbush, he says.

“It was quite an honor!” writes Quakenbush in an email.

The concert will be held outdoors at Hollins University on Saturday, July 14. Winds of the Blue Ridge have been performing the outdoor concert at the location since the group’s formation in 2008, according to member Linda Pasquarelle.

Pasquarelle performs alongside several other fellow Southwest Roanoke County residents, including Joanne Derryberry, Bill Svec, Zubin Hathi, Diane Milan, Staci Ramsey, Rick Elliot, Gretchen Miller, Janice Norvell, Robert Langford, Megan Pasquarell, John Wiggins and recent CSHS graduates Willis Greenstreet and Ashlen Veatch…”and surely others,” she says.

Tickets are not required; admission is free, but the 501(c)3 organization will gladly accept donations, according to Pasquarelle.

From the event listing on the Roanoke Times’ website:

Bring your own picnic at 6 p.m. (blankets or lawn chairs may be helpful, but not required as some tables and seating are provided) Concert starts at 7:00 p.m. Venue is covered in case of rain. Convenient parking. Kids, bring a soccer ball, there’s room to run!

Guest conductor for the fall concert is Virginia Tech’s Travis Cross.

For more information about this and other upcoming events or to learn more about Winds of the Blue Ridge, click here.