A symphony of sounds
The Wheaton Band Festival is typically known for its high-quality brass, concert and symphonic bands, but this year's lead event is none of the above.
The Tunes of Glory Pipes and Drums will add a little bagpipes to this year's fest for the first time. Spectators of Wheaton's Fourth of July parade recently saw the group's talent on display as the pipers and drummers marched through downtown.
The group leads off a slightly scaled-back version of the festival, with one notable missing element from prior fests. The festival is down to four bands, one fewer than last year. That deletion is the Great Lakes Navy Band, a mainstay in the festival for several years.
Festival President Glenn Arnold is still recovering from surgery and could not pull the Navy band's participation together in time. Arnold said he expects the Navy band will return next year, and possibly be joined by an Army Reserve band based out of Arlington Heights.
There are still some fan favorites at the festival, though. The Chicago Brass Band and the Fox Valley Concert Band return this year.
Closing the festival is another newcomer, the Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band. The band is comprised of 70 adult musicians and performs a variety of music, from classical to Broadway to pop and jazz.
Symphonic band fans will know the group for appearances at Buffalo Grove Days and the Buffalo Grove Invitational Fine Art Festival.
Organizers of the festival are once again collecting unused musical instruments to donate to the Salvation Army's youth ministry music classes. Arnold said 20 instruments already have been donated this year, ranging from piccolos to electric guitars.
If you go
What: Wheaton Band Festival
Where: Memorial Park in Wheaton, 208 W. Union Ave.
When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday
Friday
창€¢7 p.m. Tunes of Glory Pipes and Drums
창€¢8:20 p.m. Chicago Brass Band
Saturday
창€¢7 p.m. Fox Valley Concert Band
창€¢8:15 p.m. Buffalo Grove Symphonic Band
Cost: Free
Details: www.wheatonbandfestival.org