Municipal band springs in

Naperville Central High School's auditorium was packed Sunday with Naperville Municipal Band lovers and supporters.

Several hundred fans came out for the spring concert, which featured dozens of instrumentalists and guest conductor, Col. Arnald Gabriel.

This marked the third time Gabriel, a retired conductor and commander of the United States Air Force Band, has stepped in to conduct the band.

Naperville Municipal Band Conductor Ron Keller was excited about Gabriel's contribution and said he brings a different perspective.

Dianne Hutchison of Winfield, who plays the flute, also was thrilled with the opportunity to perform with Gabriel.

"He makes the music come alive," she said. "He gets so much emotion from us."

Many family members came to the concert to watch their loved ones play.

Kathi Tromblay of Naperville came with her 15-year-old son, Dylan, to watch her husband play the trumpet.

"Both my sons play the trumpet," she said. "We're a musical family."

Tom Ziemann of Oswego also attended the concert with his mom and stepson to watch his wife, Linda Mankivsky Ziemann, play the trumpet.

"I'm here to support my wife," he said. "She's very active in (the band)."

The Naperville Municipal Band holds its fall, winter and spring concerts indoors. They also have 10 concerts outside in the park during the summer.

Keller said often the summer concerts get noisy because fire trucks are cruising by and dogs are barking.

"You can have a more formal concert indoors," he said.