Guest musicians to perform with Wheaton band

Patrons of the Wheaton Municipal Band this week will be treated to the sound of an orchestra instrument joining the concert band as well as works performed under the direction of the songs' composer.

Master Gunnery Sgt. Peter Wilson from the United States Marine Orchestra and Scott Boerma, director of bands at Western Michigan University, will join the band onstage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 7, at Memorial Park, 208 W. Union Ave., Wheaton.

Hearing a violin soloist with a concert band is a rarity. Wilson regularly performs at the White House for state dinners, receptions and other functions. His versatility extends to performing on the fiddle with the Free County Marine Band's Country Ensemble, singing and conducting.

Wilson comes from a musical family, and the crossover to concert band is part of his versatility and musicianship. He conducts both bands and orchestras. Wheaton Municipal Band announcer Pete Friedmann went to school at Northwestern University with Wilson and they are longtime friends.

"Wilson is my favorite guest soloist," Friedmann said.

Boerma, a world-renowned composer and conductor, is the maestro for the evening. Boerma's passion includes music for drum and bugle corps. He arranges for both marching bands and drum and bugle corps ensembles throughout the world, including the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Thailand. He also composes for concert band, and Wheaton Municipal Band will perform a number of his favorite arrangements and compositions. Boerma incorporates the brass and percussion in all his concert band works to wow an audience with energy and sound.

The program for the evening includes "Fanfare for the Golden Sky" and "Bora Bora Suite for Band" by Boerma. The work depicts the beauty of the Bora Bora Islands. Wilson will perform "Meditation from Thais" by Massenet, "Yankee Doodle Variations" and the theme from "Schindler's List" by John Williams.

Concert goers are encouraged to come early and enjoy a picnic in the park. The concert is free. For information, see wheatonmunicipalband.org.