Summer means Mt. Prospect Community Band concerts
The 76-piece, all-volunteer Mount Prospect Community Band returns for another season today and will perform Mondays through July 27.
The band, under the direction of Ralph Wilder, is an official program of the Mount Prospect Park District and will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2016.
The concert series entertains between 300 and 500 people Mondays at the Veterans Memorial Bandshell at Lions Recreation Center, 411 S. Maple St. Bring a chair and enjoy community camaraderie while listening to melodies and vocalists. The summer series is free.
Concessions are available weekly, including a $20 meal deal and light meal options. Concerts are held rain or shine, moving indoors if necessary. Each concert runs approximately 90 minutes.
This summer's lineup includes:
• June 15 - Kids R' Us! Talented youth from the Lincoln Middle School Band will join the Community Band, as well as children from the St. James Summer Theatre Program.
• June 22 and 29 - Classics on the 22nd titled "Music for a Summer's Evening" and the annual Fourth of July spectacular June 29 titled "Patriotic Spectacular."
• July 6 - Wayne and Kathleen Messmer return for their sixth year performing Broadway favorites.
• July 13 - The band honors the Mount Prospect Park District's 60th Birthday Celebration with something fun for everyone since 1955.
• July 20th - Audience favorite Leah Novak performs classics from the Great American Songbook.
• July 27 - International Night at the Bandshell with a concert titled "Bella Notte."
Days later, a group of 70 Italian musicians called Corpa Musicale Olgiatese will visit Mount Prospect in a cultural exchange of music and friendship. Members will stay with band and village host families and perform at several venues in the Chicago area during the week of Aug. 3, culminating in a concert by the Italians at 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 9, at the Veterans Memorial Bandshell.
For details, contact Mount Prospect Cultural Arts Manager Ann Zimmerman at (847) 640-1000, ext. 229.