Cville Band Presents: Summer at The Paramount
The Charlottesville Band opens our 103rd Summer Season at The Paramount Theater with something for everyone. Our guest soloists for this show include Eric Chen, our 2025 Murphy Concert Competition winner, playing Clare Grundman’s “Concertante for Alto Sax” and our own trumpeter Mike Watkins playing “Stars in a Velvety Sky.” And as always, our Instrument Petting Zoo will be operating at the foot of the stage before the performance, so families with younger children can see and touch some of the instruments in the Band.
This is a free event and does not require advance registration. Please contact the Box Office Monday through Friday from 10:00AM to 2:00PM or call 434-979-1333 if you have questions about attending.
About the Artists
Eric Chen is a senior at Albemarle High School and has been playing saxophone since 2017. He is the principal saxophonist in the school’s Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Andrew LaPrade, and is also a lead saxophonist in the Albemarle Jazz Ensemble. Eric has participated in the All-District Band every year and qualified for the All-Virginia Band audition in 2024 and 2025. In 2024, his jazz combo earned 4th place at the National Jazz Festival in Philadelphia, and he also won 1st place in the Wednesday Music Club High School Division competition. Eric plans to continue playing the saxophone while pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering in college.
Mike Watkins is a software developer supporting the transportation and logistics industry. He earned a Bachelor of Music from Indiana University and an MBA from the University of Central Florida. Mike took a 30-year hiatus from regular playing to raise a family but has rediscovered the joy of being an amateur musician.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO! The Paramount Theater is pleased to bring diverse programming to the stage and screen. The Theater does not provide advisories about subject matter for events, as sensitivities vary. Not all events may appeal to, or be appropriate for, every person. Patrons are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the shows offered in order to make informed decisions prior to purchasing tickets.
In addition to show synopses, trailers, and reviews on our web events, other resources about content and age-appropriateness for specific films can be found on Common Sense Media, IMDb, and DoesTheDogDie.com as well as through general internet searches. For further questions, please contact the Box Office at 434.979.1333 or at boxoffice@theparamount.net, 10AM-2PM Monday-Friday + 1 hour before events.
