Celebrate 90 years of Wheaton Municipal Band

On Thursday, Aug. 1, the Wheaton Municipal Band celebrates its 90th anniversary at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Park in downtown Wheaton. In addition, Bruce Moss, the band's music director, celebrates his 40th year with the band, and it is the very last performance in the Wheaton Park District's 60-year-old band shell.

Ninety years ago, Warren Harding was president, Mickey Mouse came on the scene, and the country was in the heart of a depression, yet the City of Wheaton had the foresight to form the Wheaton Municipal Band.

Nineteen musicians made up the ensemble, which performed for the Fourth of July and at swimming pools. Ninety years later, the Wheaton Municipal Band stands as a leader in the music world. The 89 musicians perform under the direction of Dr. Bruce Moss, who celebrates his 40th year with the band.

Over these 90 years, the Wheaton Municipal Band, funded by the City of Wheaton, in cooperation with the Wheaton Park District, has grown to a full symphonic concert band.

The band draws audiences from communities throughout the Chicago area. For many families, the band concerts are a family tradition. The Wheaton band steps back in time to the days of family picnics in the park and ice cream socials.

Under the direction of Moss, the Wheaton Municipal Band attracts the finest musicians. The musicians only have a 2½-hour rehearsal to prepare for a new concert each week.

This week's concert features some of Moss's favorite compositions. There are plenty of marches to get the toes tapping. For music lovers, "Elsa's Procession to the Cathedral" by Richard Wagner and "Slavonic Rhapsody" by Carl Friedmann.

Mark Lathan, a member of the trumpet section and a composer, has arranged "Brazilian Festival" specifically for the band. To show off the band's softer side, there is the composition by Eric Whitacre titled "Sleep."

The featured soloist for the evening is Ben Pierce on euphonium performing "Rhapsody" by Jerry Brubaker.

The 2019 season concert on Thursday, Aug. 1, in Memorial Park in downtown Wheaton marks the end of the 90th anniversary outdoor season and the final concert in the existing band shell, but there is one more concert Saturday, Aug. 3, in the Edman Chapel at Wheaton College.

The Aug. 3 concert features the band in an indoor space. Special guest soloists end the anniversary season, including Captain Ryan Nowlin from the President's Own Marine Band and saxophone soloist Lou Marini ("Blue Lou") from the Blues Brothers fame.

Also on the program is soloist Benjamin Pierce on euphonium. Pierce is on the faculty of the school of music at the University of Arkansas. The winner of some dozen international tuba and euphonium competitions held in the United States, Japan, Germany, Finland, South Korea, England, and Italy, he is a frequent soloist at home and abroad.

For more information about the Wheaton Municipal Band, visit www.wheatonmunicipal band.org.