Alumni to join Naperville Municipal Band as it celebrates 150 years

The Naperville Municipal Band has played on through wars, recessions and the city's explosive growth.

Through it all, and for the past 150 years, the band has maintained a constant tune, longtime Director Ron Keller said.

That tune will turn celebratory at 7:45 p.m. today when the band marks its 150th anniversary with a Sesquicentennial Celebration at the Community Concert Center in Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave.

"We survived through thick and thin. We survived budget cuts, two world wars, the Civil War," Keller said. "As Naperville grew and expanded and grew and expanded, the town's people and city fathers worked very hard to preserve the small-town atmosphere like the concerts in the park and the beautiful downtown."

The band is the second oldest organization in Naperville, next to the Masonic Temple, said Keller, who also serves as the group's historian.

As part of tonight's celebration, an alumni band will join the current band on stage. It's the first time an alumni group will perform with the band.

More than 35 former members, some in their 70s and 80s, have traveled from all over the country - from Colorado to New York and Texas to Pennsylvania - to perform tonight. They'll play three songs alone, and join the current band for one.

Alumni will include Naperville's own Mayor George Pradel on alto horn.

Many of the returning alumni played when Naperville was a different town and the band, now 95 members strong, was a much smaller group of 50.

"There was a lot of nervous people walking in (to rehearsals this week)," said band member Richard "Dick" Pugliese. "Some (alumni band members) hadn't picked up an instrument in the last 10 or 15 years. But it's going to sound great. We just need to pray for a good clear evening and a nice big crowd."

Alumni band members will wear blue T-shirts that read "Celebration of 150," while current members will wear their usual white short-sleeved shirts and black pants adorned with a patch that says 150.

Beyond the alumni band, cornet soloist Master Sgt. Susan Rider, from the Marine Corps, will perform "Carnival of Venice."

Pugliese, who plays the baritone saxophone and headed the 150th anniversary committee, said he believes the band's success lies in its continuity. There's a waiting list to join, and there's very little turnover.

"Nobody leaves the band unless they get transferred out of the area or if they pass away," said Pugliese, who has been with the group since 1976.

As a result, 11 people have more than 50 years experience with the band throughout the years.

Keller is only the second director since it officially became the Naperville Municipal Band in 1928.

"It's a fun organization and we try to keep coming up with new innovations," Pugliese said.

This summer, as part of the 150th celebration, other bands have played on Saturday nights.

Also new this year, the band raffled off two $100 gift certificates at each concert that were good for downtown shopping.

Other 150th celebration activities included an essay contest. About 25 residents completed a one-page essay describing what they love about the band. The winner will conduct a piece next Thursday during the 10th concert of the year.

Commemorative 150th anniversary Christmas ornaments created by the Canterbury Shoppe also have been on sale during concerts.

During tonight's birthday celebration, a special 150th anniversary plaque will be unveiled by Pradel and State Rep. Mike Connelly, a Lisle Republican. The plaque depicts the four locations the band has performed in Central Park since its inception and was created by Naperville artist Pat Pitula. It will be unveiled as the band plays the "Naperville Municipal Band March," written by Keller.

The band regularly enjoys audiences of 2,500 people, with as many as 7,000 at patriotic concerts, Keller said.

He keeps no secrets about what he believes is the band's success. Play what the people want to hear - that's his philosophy.

"We try to entertain people with our music rather than educate them," Keller said. "I'm not concerned that we play something easy or something hard. It's just something that I think they'd like to hear."

The alumni band will join current members again on the stage in a grand finale playing of the Semper Fidelis March by John Philip Sousa.

"It's fun music and I think that's why the band has survived," Keller said. "(John Philip) Sousa used to say a good march could make a man with a wooden leg want to get up and march."

Band timeline

1859 Band began with 15 men who played at Barber's Corners

1890s The city built a wooden gazebo structure for the band in Central Park

1928 Band granted a charter and became the Naperville Municipal Band with 35 members

1931 The band's constitution was changed so women could play

1930 Naperville residents agreed to a band tax to financially support the band

1938 A wooden band shell was constructed

1954 Current Director Ronald Keller joined the band in high school

1963 City condemned wooden band shell

1965 Former band Director Elmer Koerner passed away in November.

1966 Keller took over as leader

1966 Voters agreed to build a $55,000 concrete band shell

1969 The band starts seasonal concerts in addition to summer concerts

1979 The band made its first trip out of town to Plymouth, Mich.

1980s Band visited Danville, Ky., Great American Brass Band Festival twice

1983 City of Naperville agreed to pay for band items out of the general fund

1999 Band shell was condemned and demolished

2002 Ground breaking for the existing the Naperville Community Concert Center

2003 Concert Center completed in June

2009 Naperville Municipal Band celebrates 150 years

<p class="factboxheadblack">If you go</p> <p class="News"><b>What: </b>Naperville Municipal Band's 150th anniversary concert</p> <p class="News"><b>When:</b> 7:45 p.m. today</p> <p class="News"><b>Where:</b> Community Concert Center in Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave., Naperville </p> <p class="News"><b>Cost: </b>Free</p> <p class="News"><b>Info:</b> (630) 778-9994 or <a href="http://napervilleband.org" target="new">napervilleband.org</a></p> <div class="infoBox"> <h1>More Coverage</h1> <div class="infoBoxContent"> <div class="infoArea"> <h2>Stories</h2> <ul class="links"> <li><a href="/story/?id=311534">Band has long history of bringing community together <span class="date">[8/6/09]</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>