Wheaton Municipal Band to show off its talent July 5

Not only are the members of the Wheaton Municipal Band accomplished musicians and great sight-readers, many of the members are conductors at high schools and middle schools throughout the area.

On Thursday, July 5, select members of the band step up to the podium to conduct a concert of their favorite works at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Ave. in downtown Wheaton. Music director Bruce Moss generously steps aside to allow for this rare treat.

This huge undertaking requires trust and cooperation. Each conductor has his or her own style and nuances that the band learns and focuses on. With a new conductor featured every 5 to 10 minutes conducting a single work, the band must focus and collaborate. But the band is up to the challenge and this promises to be an exciting concert.

All of the conductors selected their repertoire, with most choosing their favorites. Paul Loucas starts the night off with the "Fanfare."

In addition, the program boasts some audience favorites.

Gustav Holst's Suite No. 2 in F. conducted by Ricardo Vazquez, Shan Kazmi, and Andrew Packer.

"Second Suite is like a historic building in the middle of town you can see every day that still captures your attention," Vazquez said. As a bassoonist in the band, Vazquez likes the "warhorses" that dot the concert band literature.

Band manager Steve Klaus selected "Scenes from the Louvre" by Norman Dello Joio. "I have always loved this piece," said Klaus. "It is a musical depiction of what the Louvre looks like."

"Although I have never been to the Louvre," said Klaus, "I imagine it looking just the way Dello Joio sets it in his music."

John Ehrich also will join in on conducting this work.

Ken Goodman, a long-standing member of the band's first clarinet section, conducts "Dance Episodes" from Leonard Bernstein's "On the Town."

Principal piccolo player Barb Saks conducts "The Witching Hour" by Randall Standridge. Carol Kiersyk conducts Camille Saint-Saens "Pas Redouble."

A highlight of the concert features Mark Lathan, conducting his original work "Vermillion and Gold."

Other conductors on the program include Rich Paluch, the band's secretary, raising the baton for "Chester: Overture for Band" by William Schuman and Vinnie Inendino conducting "George Washington Bicentennial March" by John Philip Sousa.

Don't miss this unique and exciting program.

For information, go to the band's website at www.wheatonmunicipalband.org.