Trumpeter David Longoria To Headline Salvation Army Benefit

Online, April 30, 2012 (Newswire.com) - World-renowned trumpeter David Longoria has hit the high notes and charmed the masses playing to audiences around the globe.

He's earned numerous prestigious awards, performed on tracks that created a wall full of gold records, and headlined at auditoriums, amphitheatres, and concert stages. He also recently added a highly acclaimed Public television special "David Longoria Baila!" to his long list of fan favorites.

So, why is the blue-eyed, agile-lipped, trumpet-twirling musician and singer slipping off to the Pacific Northwest this month to perform for a small-town charity concert in a Seattle suburb?

David Longoria is the featured artist at The Salvation Army Annual Dinner Concert "Reaching For The Stars," May 15 at the Renton IKEA Performing Arts Center.

The center is attached to Renton High School, Longoria's alma mater.
Longoria agreed to perform at the event, and was selected as the celebrity artist by Renton Salvation Army Capt. Chris Aird, because what seems now a lifetime ago, a small, curly haired youth named David learned to play a pawnshop purchased horn under the tutelage of then-Renton Salvation Army Brigadier Charles Bennett.

"I learned about David Longoria last fall," Aird said, describing how an area resident stopped by The Salvation Army center in Renton and happened to mention to Aire that pop/Latin jazz/dance recording artist David Longoria got his start in the music world playing trumpet in The Salvation Army (TSA) corps band and by attending summer music camps at TSA's Camp Arnold at Timberlake.

About one-year ago, Aird moved with wife TSA Capt. Lisa Aire, and their four children, to command the Renton Salvation Army. The couple previously was in charge of a similar TSA command post in Roseville, California.

This is the 7th annual dinner for TSA in Renton, and the first time Aird has been in charge of the event. He said he's pretty excited to make this year's event better than all the previous events.

"When I heard about David Longoria playing his horn here, I thought, let's see if we can bring him home and make this a 'small town boy makes good' story, and show how important Salvation Army music programs can be," Aird said.

Music programs are vital for young children. Youths who excel in music do well not only in the arts, but also in music and science, according to statistics provided by Aird.

"Music is so important for kids and yet, when funds get tight in schools, music is often the first thing cut," he said.

"That's why one of the many services provided by TSA is music.
In Renton, children from all socio-economic households can learn to play a musical instrument. TSA offers music lessons for children and also provides an instrument each child can take home to practice and learn to play", Aird said.

Funds raised at the May 15 David Longoria concert will go toward programs at TSA Renton and also toward remodeling the facility to provide additional space for programming and allow for more days of programs.

The combined church and social service facility currently hosts the area food bank, which serves about 1,300 families each month; social services for homeless prevention, including help with utility bills and housing payments; free tax preparation for residents with less than $50,000 annual income; four days a week community dinners, for homeless and other local families and individuals who can benefit from the free meals; three-day-a-week tutoring for children, which includes pick-ups and take homes from area schools; and brass instrument lessons for children.

The music lessons began last summer and have grown from 10 children to about 20 now, Aird said.

A Salvation Army musician from TSA's divisional headquarters in Seattle teaches the 30-minute instrumental lessons. Aird also helps out with lessons.

Aird said he's pretty excited about Longoria performing in the upcoming benefit concert. "This is something I believe God has put in our laps; this could be instrumental in getting out the message about the importance of Salvation Army programs," he said, adding, "I'm excited and so are a lot of other people in Renton, including our Advisory Board."

The Ikea Performing Arts Center holds up to 540 people. Aire hopes corporate sponsors will step forward to purchase multiple tickets for the event.

Tickets are $40 for dinner and the concert, or $25 for concert only tickets. The dinner begins at 6 p.m., May 15, and the concert is set to begin at 7 p.m.

For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit: www.SalvationArmyRenton.org.