The Wheaton Municipal Band Launches 2017 Season
The Wheaton Municipal Band launches its 2017 summer season of concerts with, "Another Opening, Another Show!" The long awaited opening night happens Thursday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Park in downtown Wheaton. Founded in 1930, the Wheaton Municipal Band celebrates its 87th season. Under the leadership of Music Director Dr. Bruce Moss and with the support of the City of Wheaton and the Friends of the Wheaton Municipal Band, the Wheaton Municipal Band enjoys international recognition.
Every Thursday evening, from June 8 through August 10 at 7:30 p.m., Memorial Park will be vibrating with the sounds of the 90-piece ensemble. Highlights for the season include: A Tribute to Band Classic literature (June 15), Circus Days, a fun filled musical look at the Circus (June 22). This concert focuses on the young at heart and includes an instrument petting zoo at 6:30 p.m. Guest conductors-Lt. Commander Lorelei Conrad (June 29), Dr. Timothy Rhea (July 6), An evening of music from Explorers to Explorations (July 13), On Broadway (July 20), College Night (July 27), The American Spirit (Aug 3) and Jazz Night (August 10). The indoor concert happens on August 5 at Edman Chapel at Wheaton College. This popular concert features renowned tuba soloist Patrick Sheridan.
The first concert opens with Warren Bakers Broadway Show Stoppers, a medley of popular Broadway hits. For those who love of Broadway, Dr. Moss has also programmed Highlights from West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein. The night takes on a meatier musical challenge with the overture to the opera Tsar's Bride by Rimsky-Korsakov. This stirring overture, one of Rimsky-Korsakov's lesser-known works, features beautiful melodies in the style of "cantilena par excellence." Also on the program is Elegy for a Young American. Ronald Lo Presti wrote this somber work to honor the memory of President John F. Kennedy. To keep the audience enthralled, the music continues with Respighi's Pines of the Appian Way. In the spirit of Ravel's Bolero, Respighi builds tension with dynamics and instrumentation. Rounding out the program are everyone's favorite marches and a few other favorites.
The opening concert presents a musical challenge for the band and Dr. Moss. The band members first comes together collectively on Tuesday evening for a rehearsal. These outstanding musicians go through a rigorous audition process to win a seat in their section. With only two rehearsals the band scrambles to perfect the music for the Thursday night concert. It presents a tremendous musical challenge, but one that keeps the adrenaline pumping for all on the stage.
Don't miss the excitement of opening night for the 2017 season of the Wheaton Municipal Band. Enjoy the idyllic setting of Memorial Park. Bring a lawn chair, enjoy a picnic and relax with the Wheaton Municipal Band's beautiful music. Thursday, June 8 at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Park in downtown Wheaton. The concerts are FREE. For more information go to http://www.wheatonmunicipalband.org.