West Point Band composer headlines Wheaton Municipal Band’s season opener

Summer begins in Wheaton with the start of the Wheaton Municipal Band’s 2025 season on Thursday, June 12, in Memorial Park in downtown Wheaton.

Music director Bruce Moss programmed a summer packed with a variety of music for all tastes and styles, plus the summer features guest conductors, guest artists, the famed announcer, Pete Friedmann and the incredible band.

More than 200 musicians auditioned for the coveted 89 chairs in the band. Musicians from all over the Chicago area contribute their professional skills to help make the band the outstanding music leader that it is.

The first concert welcomes Sgt. 1st Class Noah Taylor to the stage. Since 2015, Taylor has been the composer and arranger for the United States Military Academy at West Point.

Taylor shares some his musical compositions with the Wheaton Municipal Band to help honor the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. One of these compositions is “Fanfare 250.”

The theme of the Army’s 250th anniversary is “This we’ll defend” which was the battle cry of the Continental Army. The concert features other original works and arrangements by Taylor.

Wheaton Municipal Band members share with the audience this rare musical experience of performing an original composition directed by the composer. Every nuance and accent will be heard as the composer intended.

In addition, band students from the Wheaton middle schools will share the stage with the seasoned musicians for a few select pieces. Part of Wheaton Municipal Band’s mission is to foster the love of music in young musicians.

Students at Edison, Franklin, Monroe, and Hubble were selected to participate at this concert. A special thank you to the Wheaton middle school band directors, Blake Jancius, Jill Carr, Jeffrey Novak and Kurt Makaryk.

Also performing is Natalie Diaz, a graduating senior vocalist at Wheaton North High School. Thank you to vocal director Kassandra Krause from Wheaton North.

Kick off your summer with the Wheaton Municipal Band, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 12, in Memorial Park, 225 Karlskoga Ave. in downtown Wheaton. Come early and save a seat near the stage or bring a lawn chair and enjoy the beautiful sounds and sights in Memorial Park. For more information, go to the band’s website, www.wheatonmunicipalband.org.