Wheaton Municipal Band to perform a 'Flag Day Salute' June 14
The Wheaton Municipal Band presents the second concert of the 2018 season at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 14, in Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Ave. in downtown Wheaton.
Concert bands have a history of stirring the patriotic soul with music, so the band plans to celebrate Flag Day with music.
Dr. Bruce Moss, the band's music director, programmed a wide variety of selections in recognition of America's symbol of freedom.
In addition, the band salutes Wheaton's youth by welcoming to the stage 20 middle school band students to perform side-by-side with the Wheaton Municipal Band musicians on two numbers.
On June 14, 1777, the Continental Congress replaced the British flag with a new design featuring 13 white stars in a circle on a field of blue and 13 red and white stripes - one for each state. The number of stars increased with each new state added to the Union, but the number of stripes stopped at 15 and was later returned to 13.
The flag, a symbol of freedom and patriotism inspires composers to write all types of musical compositions.
The concert opens with John Zdechlik's "Celebrations." This major work encompasses a huge spectrum of emotions, with highs and lows, fortes and pianissimos, thick orchestration, and featured solos. This major work is sure to please the crowd. Another work inspired by the American flag is Gordon Jacob's "Flag of Stars."
From the opening brass fanfare to the silver tones of the flutes, this composition encompasses the feelings of patriotism. Of course, the concert includes John Philip Sousa "Marches" and Malcolm Arnold's "Prelude, Sicilian and Rondo." Also programmed is a lesser-known work by John Williams, "Flag Parade."
The four Wheaton School District 200 middle schools - Hubble, Edison, Franklin and Monroe - have students performing with the band at this concert.
These students practice throughout the school year and are eager to show off all they have learned.
The Wheaton Municipal Band welcomes the students and applauds their hard work and dedication to their instruments. In addition, the band thanks the band directors: Jill Carr, Blake Jancius, Kurt Makaryk, and Jeffrey Novak for all their efforts and encouragement.
Join the Wheaton Municipal Band for an evening of beautiful stirring music at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 14, in Memorial Park in downtown Wheaton. Bring a lawn chair and a picnic and enjoy the evening. For more information, visit www.wheatonmunicipalband.org.