MARION — Audience members gasped during the crescendo of a “West Side Story” medley as a crash of cymbals rang out during the Tri-County Symphonic Band’s 20th annual benefit pops concert on Sunday, June 11. 

Attendees gathered under the grand tent of the Fireman Performing Arts center to get in the dancing spirit. 

This year, the band played music written for dancing like “Cake Walk” and “Western One-Step” from a suite of old American dances, and Symphonic Dances from “West Side Story.”

“There are all kinds of things: waltzes, tango, there are a variety of dances,” said Tri-County Symphonic Band music director Philip Sanborn. He noted that the lack of dancers on stage did not take away from the experience because “when you put dance music on the symphonic stage it really pops.”

Proceeds raised by the concert will be used to fund the John R. Pandolfi music scholarships. 

“Everybody you see here in the band has received some sort of support,” said Sanborn referring to the importance of raising funds for music scholarships.