The Allentown Band returned to Waldheim Park, Salisbury Township, for the 106th year for its Aug. 13 concert, “Broadway and Beyond.”

“It’s the longest-running concert series for the Allentown Band,” Ronald Demkee, Allentown Band conductor, told hundreds who nearly filled the amphitheater in the South Mountain woods.

Guest soloist Patricia Risley, mezzo-soprano, sang George and Ira Gershwin’s” “Embraceable You,” “‘S Wonderful!” and “Someone to Watch Over Me,” with a voice that could melt hearts at 40 feet.

Risley put that emotion into motion, stepping from the stage to cajole the audience. She flirted with Demkee at the podium, prompting him to quip, ”Can we do that second verse again?”

“The Beyond” of the concert was the dynamic presence of Risley, whose “Habanera” aria from Georges Bizet’s “Carmen” was stunning and magnificent.

Risley was robust in “Singularly Streisand,” a medley arranged by Ken Moyer of “People,” “The Way We Were,” “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “Somewhere.”

The Allentown Band performed “76 Trombones” from Meredith Willson’s “The Music Man”; “Jerome Robbins’ Broadway,” “The Magic of Andrew Lloyd Webber” and “Irving Berlin Showstoppers,” swinging throughout with the fervor of a big band.

Terry Smith led the audience in singing the hymns, “How Great Thou Art,” “To God Be The Glory” and “Blessed is the Name.”

Waldheim Park is operated by the Evangelical Congregational Waldheim Park Association.

Information: https://www.waldheimpark.org