The annual Tillman Memorial Concert will be taking place on Saturday at the Garfield Middle School Auditorium. And the Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony Orchestra promises not to disappoint.

“The concert is for a family that lived in Hamilton a number of years ago,” said Paul Stanbery, musical director of the symphony. “They lost a child to cancer, and they had a special love for music, so they put some money in a fund with the Hamilton Community Foundation, and the fund provided a concert families could attend easily.”

Since the fund began, nearly 30 years ago, the Hamilton Community Foundation has taken on the financial aspect of the concert, providing free musical performances around the Hamilton area.

Yet, without the performers there would be no need for a fund.

Michael Preacely, who recently placed third at the National Opera Association Vocal Competition, will be the guest soloist at the memorial concert.

Preacely, a baritone who studied under the legendary Irish tenor Ronan Tynan, was the talk of his last concert with the Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony Orchestra, Stanbery said.

“He is a fabulous singer,” said Stanbery. “I told him he has a very bright future and that I wanted him to engage him with the Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony Orchestra before he becomes a big star.”

“He has a real commanding presence on the stage and thrilling voice,” said Stanbery. “It is an honor and a pleasure to have him here as our guest soloist.”

Stanbery, who will be the conductor, has been serving as the music director of the Hamilton Fairfield Symphony for 17 years. Stanbery has been going exceptional work for local symphonies, leading him to winning the Post-Corbett Award, which recognizes outstanding achievements in the arts.

Stanbery will be conducting, for the first time, Symphony #2 “Foundations,” a piece he recently composed.

Jade Kurlas, a senior at the School for Creative and Performing Arts in downtown Cincinnati, will be performing on the cello.

Kurlas recently won a young artist competition held by the symphony. As winner of the competition she won $1,000, but more importantly the Kurlas gets to perform a part of a concerto with a professional orchestra backing her up.

“Without a doubt, she is one of the best young cellists in the area,” said Stanbery. “She is definitely the best young cellist I have ever heard.”