The Northwinds Symphonic Band will bring a little of Italy to Hall County with “Viva L’Italia,” on Saturday, Feb. 23, at Brenau University’s Pearce Auditorium.

The concert will feature an all-Italian program, with guest conductor, Col. Arnald D. Gabriel, Conductor Emeritus of the U.S. Air Force Band.

Featured local artists include Russell Andrade, tenor, and Michelle Martin, soprano. Ronald J. Evans will conduct along with Associate Conductor Mercer E. Crook.

The program will begin at 7:30 p.m.

Admission is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors, and $5 for students.

Gabriel served as commander/conductor of the internationally renowned U.S. Air Force Band, Symphony Orchestra and Singing Sergeants from 1964 to 1985.

He retired from the Air Force Band in 1985, at which time he was awarded a third Legion of Merit for his service to music education throughout the country.

In 1990 he was named first Conductor Emeritus of the UASAF Band at a special concert held at DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, D.C.

Gabriel has performed in all 50 of the United States and in 49 countries around the world.

Evans is the founder and conductor of the Northwinds Symphonic Band. He graduated from the University of Georgia where he was a member of the Redcoat Marching Band, the Symphonic Band and the University Symphony Orchestra.

Crook, a native Northeast Georgian, attended the University of Georgia and spent 31 years as band director at East Hall High School.

Martin, a native of Gainesville, earned her bachelor of music in voice performance from Florida State University. She has traveled the country performing a variety of roles spanning the musical theater and light opera genres.

Since beginning her career, Georgia audiences have seen her with the Horizon Theatre, the Art Station, Georgia Mountain Players, Aurora Theatre, Savoyard Music Theatre, OnStage Atlanta, Six Flags Over Georgia and Gainesville Theatre Alliance.

Andrade holds bachelor of music degrees in vocal performance and music composition from the University of Georgia. He has performed as a recital soloist with such ensembles as the Vermont Philharmonic and the chorus of the Atlanta Opera.

He has studied with the renowned tenor Gregory Broughton, former Army chorus bass-baritone Ronald Billingsley and Metropolitan Opera artists such as Stanford Olsen, Eduardo Valdes, Robert Morrison, Jane B. Klaviter, George Darden and Louis Kosma.

Most recently, Andrade performed the role of the Beadle with the St. Petersburg Opera in St. Petersburg, Fla.