Wheaton Municipal Band strikes up 78th season
The Wheaton Municipal Band opened its 78th season this month for the first time ever in the Art Sweet Bandshell.
Wheaton Park District commissioners named the bandshell at Memorial Park after Sweet in December to commemorate his reign as the band's original and founding director in 1944. Sweet also led the fundraising drive to build the bandshell to complete his dream of having Thursday evening performances outdoors where the whole community could enjoy them.
Area residents will have nine more chances to enjoy the band outside this season and one indoor concert.
On Thursday, On June 19, the band's show is called "Night & Day" and features arrangements such as "Oh, What a Beautiful Morning" from "Oklahoma."
The June 26 performance features guest conductor David Waybright the band director of the University of Florida.
July 3 is the annual patriotic performance.
On July 10 the band will salute the 100th birthday of Leroy Anderson, who arranged and composed for the Boston Pops. Musical selections will honor him and guest appearances in the past by other music icons including William Schraft, the Glenbard North High School band director who died last year.
Just two days later, the band will play an indoor concert at Wheaton College's Edman Chapel featuring four renowned tuba performers. All area tuba and euphonium players are invited to share the stage during the grand finale of the performance.
On July 17, the band will play tribute to the 50th birthday of the hula hoop with actual hula hoops for all children to try out at the performance.
July 24th's show will see a combined performance of the Wheaton Municipal Band and the Glen Ellyn Wheaton Chorale.
The audience participation show is on July 31. Selections are voted on by the audience and then anyone who has ever played a band instrument is invited to join the Wheaton Municipal Band for the first half of the concert.
The season wraps up on August 7. The final program has not yet been announced.
The municipal band's concerts bring more than 1,000 people to Wheaton on Thursday evenings throughout the summer. Performances begin at 8 p.m.
In you go
What: Wheaton Municipal Band
Where: Art Sweet Bandshell, Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Ave.
When: Concerts at 8 p.m. Thursdays through Aug. 7
Cost: Free
Details: Call (630) 260-2000 or visit www.wheatonmunicipalband.org