Wheaton Municipal Band wraps up summer season with a 'Friedmann Fanfare' Aug. 5

The final downbeat of the Wheaton Municipal Band's 2021 season takes place at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 5, in the Memorial Park bandshell in downtown Wheaton.

This concert recognizes the 40th anniversary of announcer Pete Friedmann. As the voice of the WMB, Friedmann not only shares interesting background on the music played, but he also helps shape the season with his perspective on the music and the concerts.

An announcer acts as a quarterback, and works closely with music director, Dr. Bruce Moss, to make sure that each concert is a work of art. Dr. Moss first heard Friedmann announce the Northwestern "Wild Cat" Marching Band and thought; "This guy would be perfect for the WMB." The Wheaton Band commission "gave me the chance of a lifetime," said Friedmann and he has been the band's announcer ever since.

This concert features musical compositions that the Wheaton Municipal Band has commissioned over the years.

To honor Friedmann's 35th anniversary, the band asked composer Scott Boerma to write an original work. The result is the "Friedmann Fanfare," which opens the concert.

What better way to mark anniversaries than with original music? To mark the 60th anniversary of the Wheaton Municipal Band, in 1980, the City of Wheaton commissioned Alfred Reed to write his original work, "Curtain Up!"

Reed, a prolific American composer, wrote over 200 works for concert band, orchestra, chorus and chamber ensemble. Mark Lathan, a trumpeter in the band, wrote "Bold Heritage Fanfare," which also is featured on the program.

Dr. Bruce Moss, the band's music director, not only leads the Wheaton Municipal Band, he is the director of Band Activities, and professor at Bowling Green State University. As an educator, Moss mentors talented musicians. Some of his former students stand out. Major Ryan Nowlin, director of the "President's Own" Marine Band wrote "Maker's Mark," commissioned by the Friends of the Band, Inc. to honor Moss' 30th anniversary as music director of the Wheaton Municipal Band. Often, the audience hears a portion of this exciting work as a prelude to the national anthem.

A highlight of this concert is soloist John Hagstrom, trumpeter with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. A former student of Dr. Moss at York High School in Elmhurst, Hagstrom brings a artistic sensitivity to his performances. Hagstrom performs "Dramatic Essay" by Clifton Williams. Performing periodically with the Wheaton Municipal Band, Hagstrom feels a deep connection to the Band and Dr. Moss. Hagstrom performed this work with the Wheaton Municipal Band 30 years ago when he was a member of the United States Marine Band.

Bring a lawn chair or sit in the stadium seats. For more information, go to www.wheatonmunicipalband.org.