Naperville Municipal Band ready for summer concert season

The Naperville Municipal Band will open its summer season next month with the first of 12 free outdoor concerts.

The first performance, "Climb on the Bandwagon," will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 4, at the Community Concert Center in Naperville's Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave.

The remaining concerts, celebrating the band's 156th season, will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 20 at the same location.

During the concert titled "Golden Jubilee" on June 25, the band and community will celebrate the accomplishments of Director Ronald Keller, who has been leading the band for 50 years.

The popular patriotic celebration, "American Pride," will be Thursday, July 2, featuring the "1812 Overture," accompanied by Civil War cannons and local church bells ringing.

When the band is away performing for the Texas Bandmasters Association annual convention, the DuPage Symphony Orchestra will offer a free concert at 7:30 p.m. July 23 in Central Park.

The first 1,000 audience members to arrive for each concert will have a chance to win one of four $25 gift certificates - two from the local merchants supporting that evening's performance and two from the band.

Each concert also has an ice cream social, sponsored by a local not-for-profit organization. For more information, contact www.napervilleband.org, (630) 778-9994 or info@napervilleband.org.

Here's a quick look at the band's schedule:

• June 4: "Climb on the Bandwagon," featuring eighth-grade scholarship winners

• June 11: "There's Music in the Air," featuring high school musicians who played with the band during the school year

• June 18: "Opera for People Who Don't Like Opera"

• June 25: "Golden Jubilee," celebrating Keller's 50th anniversary as director

• July 2: "American Pride," with the "1812 Overture" with Civil War cannons

• July 9: Naperville Big Band, featuring vocalist Robyn Vitson

• July 16: "Food, Glorious Food"

• July 23: DuPage Symphony Orchestra

• July 30: "Back from San Antonio"

• Aug 6: "At Home in Central Park"

• Aug. 13: "A Summer to Remember"

• Aug. 20: Naperville Big Band Joint Jazz Band Concert

If you go

What: Naperville Municipal Band summer concerts

When: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, June 4 to Aug. 20

Where: Community Concert Center in Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave., Naperville

Cost: Free

Info: www.napervilleband.org