McGRATHPR.com – Michelle M. McGrath, McGrath PR’s founding president and devoted arts advocate, has been appointed as managing director of A Swingin’ Affair, Greater Boston’s premiere big band. A resident of Scituate, McGrath will engage in this tandem career role supporting the ensemble’s professional performance opportunities, market and coordinate education collaboration initiatives, and provide marketing and administration for the ensemble year-round.
“Each year I engage in a pro bono project to fulfill my mission to deeply support our region’s arts and culture initiatives. This year, I chose to serve as a volunteer concert producer, a first! The performance engaged A Swingin’ Affair in an educational benefit collaboration, supporting Scituate’s school music programs,” shared McGrath. “Everyone was so engaged and dedicated, that it resulted in a massive fundraising and enrichment success. The most exceptional facet was working with the band’s founders, Steve and Donnie. Our connection was instantaneously inspired! They are both so positive and invested in their creative careers. When they approached me with this new opportunity, I realized it would be a great privilege to work with them permanently, and immediately began expanding plans for the band’s performance and collaboration models.”
After the Scituate success, A Swingin Affair’s two founders, Artistic Director and Bandleader Steve Bass and Frontman Donnie Norton were convinced this way the path to greater success. “Having the luxury of McGrath PR’s services in support of our debut benefit concert was eye opening. Donnie and I couldn’t imagine producing shows without Michelle’s talent and expertise going forward. The branding, visibility, and administration elements she provided was vital to the vast success of that initial collaboration. We look forward to repeating that success and enhancing the Scituate collaboration in a repeat appearance there next season. Plans to standardize the model across Eastern Massachusetts are already underway, aspiring to support the region’s school music programs and booster organizations.
Award-winning big band A Swingin’ Affair features the most exceptional, professional performing artists in greater Boston, convened in swing and song – a rare entertainment opportunity! Audiences revel in the band’s 16 inspired instrumentalists as they dive into the toe tappin’ Great American Songbook, exploring the legendary tunes of Frank Sinatra, Bobby Darin, Dean Martin, and the timeless Rat Pack. Frontman vocalist Donnie Norton delivers a huge swingin’ sound and charisma, aside special guest vocalists, as bandleader Steve Bass delivers all the class, vibe, and excitement of Sinatra’s soundstage. Fans bask in favorite tunes of the era blended with sentimental stories about the legendary celebrity artists, delivered nostalgically with a twist from the circa-authentic stage set. Audiences enjoy hits from the era’s most recognizable crooners, delivered through captivating music inspiring fans to dance along in the aisles.
In its dedication to sustaining the intrinsic value of music of education, A Swingin’ Affair also engages middle and high school music students in world-class masterclass workshops with its artists, preserving the living history of swing and jazz culture with aspiring student musicians.
“I’m eager to amplify the passion that has always inspired my career,” says McGrath. “Music has always been at the center of my creative life – from performing in musical theatre, to solo, acapella, and ensemble singing engagements. This new role expands that creativity into greater leadership, a perfect complement to my public relations career.”
McGrath, a lifelong artist and musician established McGrath PR in 2009, championing the arts, culture, nonprofit, and small business industries. She utilizes a creative approach to business as a designer, illustrator, instrumentalist, and vocalist – integral facets of her career – an applied art form. With two decades invested in the public relations industry, McGrath continually redefines strategic methods to suit technological advances in the media and communications, a unique and proprietary model. She is a devoted arts advocate, collaborating with, founding, and serving many of the South Shore region’s cultural committees and organizations. She is a founder of Plymouth’s Spire Center for Performing Arts and was appointed to collaboratively originate Plymouth Bay Cultural District. Most recently, she served two consecutive terms on Scituate Cultural Council as its PR chairperson, amplifying her service to Massachusetts Cultural Council. A performing artist herself, McGrath currently performs as a vocalist with Pilgrim Festival Chorus and Friends in Song a cappella ensemble. She previously served as PACTV’s PCN Community News program’s founding arts & entertainment correspondent. McGrath is also the author of the bestselling cookbook, “The Creative Table.” Tap A Swingin’ Affair’s booking schedule and hundreds of client events in seasonal entertainment previews at mcgrathpr.com.
To learn more about A Swingin’ Affair big band, or to explore opportunities for education benefit concert collaborations, visit aswinginaffair.com, email aswinginaffairband@gmail.com, or visit A Swingin’ Affair on Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.
