On Saturday, October 14, 2017 Lancaster, Pennsylvania will again be dancing to the music of Cody McSherry and his band “Polterabend.” This is the third annual Oktoberfest concert and dance to be held to benefit the Fine and Performing Arts Department of Lancaster Catholic High School.
Cody McSherry, now fourteen years of age, has entered Lancaster Catholic High School as a freshman this year. Though he is new to the school as a student, his performances are not. Cody formed his band at the suggestion of Tony Brill, the head of the school’s Fine and Performing Arts Department, three years ago while Cody was still in 7th grade. The band’s name, “Polterabend,” is German for “noisy night,” a name Cody found fitting. Performing on piano accordion, diatonic accordion and voice, Cody will be backed up by Dr. Al Schulz on keyboard, Jim Martin on drums, and Mike Bitts on bass. The band specializes in polka and waltz music from Germany, Austria, and Slovenia, as well as many American favorites.
Cody has enjoyed the transition to the high school and the many musical opportunities it presents. He will be playing accordion and baritone saxophone in the school’s concert and jazz bands, as well as performing on marimba with a percussion ensemble, and singing in the concert choir, Mass chair and the competitive acapella group, Vox Pop. He relishes bringing the accordion to a new and young audience, and has been very appreciative of his teachers’ embracing of his interest in the instrument. This year, the Oktoberfest event will be alcohol free to allow for the school’s students and other young people to come and hear this music, which will be a new experience for many.
The Oktoberfest event will be held in the cafeteria at Lancaster Catholic High School, 650 Juliette Avenue, Lancaster, PA, and begins at 7:30 AM. Doors open at 7:00 PM. The cost is $10 per person or $85 for a table of ten. Please RSVP by Tuesday, October 10th by emailing Tony Brill at tbrill@lchsyes.org or calling him at (717) 509-0310. Please give full name / phone number and total count attending. Payment can be made at the door. Light refreshments will be served.
