St. Charles park concert series features Air Force Band

They've played their music to honor four-star generals, heads of state and other important dignitaries. They've played to honor those who have died serving their country and to mark important dates in American history.

But mostly, they have played in small parks in small towns across the Midwest in honor of where patriotic bands have laid their roots through history.

The 43-piece United States Air Force Band of Mid-America, under the direction of Major Daniel L. Price, performed a 70-minute concert Thursday night for an estimated 1,200 people who filled Lincoln Park in St. Charles to participate in the park district's free Concert in the Park series.

"There is a different vibe to the whole thing at a concert in the park," said Price, who has been conducting the band for two years. "There is a sense of community that isn't necessarily the most recognizable vibe when you are playing for a four-star general.

"There is a sense of being a neighbor here," Price added. "And it's the history of military bands being in parks; it has been going on for hundreds of years."

Lincoln Park in front of St. Patrick's church in downtown St. Charles provided a perfect setting for what Price was describing - families having picnics, kids playing on slides and monkey bars nearby, and the trees and park gazebo serving as the stage.

It was the music, however, that attracted the audience, which included several military veterans and their families.

"This may not draw a crowd as big as Gina Glocksen (an "American Idol" rocker who performed at the park last month), but this is going to be pretty good," St. Charles architect Mike Dixon said before the show.

While the rousing marches and military theme songs garnered the biggest cheers of the night, to hear the Air Force Band of Mid-America is to hear a wide variety of music styles from jazz, to blues, to opera.

"I have seen this band before at Cantigny," Marlin Tevis of Batavia said. "They play a great variety and have some great soloists."

One of those soloists, Staff Master Sgt. Steve Thulon, sang a series of opera songs in the "Neapolitan Medley," which included a trip into the crowd, where he went to his knees and serenaded a woman with "O Sole Mio."

Technical Sgt. Keisha Gwin-Goodin sang a jazzy "Body and Soul" tune and followed it up with a blues hit, "Son of a Preacher Man," before joining Thulon in a series of patriotic tunes.

The crowd enjoyed the "Salute to Service" medley in which every theme song for the branches of military service was played, with members of those branches standing during their song.

Before ending the concert with a rousing version of "Stars and Stripes Forever," Price reminded the audience as to why the band is devoted to inspiring the men and women serving around the world and keeping their dedication fresh in the minds of those at home.

"We want to ask you to join us in remembering those who are overseas and serving for us at this moment," Price said. "It doesn't matter if they are soldiers, sailors, airmen or Marines; they are serving our country and fighting the cause of liberty around the world."

The band is based out of Scott Air Force Base near Belleville, Ill., and came into existence in 1942. It performs as many as 400 engagements a year and will continue its current tour of parks with a performance at 7 p.m. tonight in Wing Park in Elgin.