Wheaton Municipal Band kicks off the Fourth of July weekend early with Patriotic Concert

Kick off your Fourth of July celebration early with the Wheaton Municipal Band Concert on Thursday, July 2. The free concert, with the theme, “From Sea to Shining Sea,” will begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Memorial Park band shell, 225 Karlskoga Ave. in Wheaton.

This popular concert packs the park, so come early and stake your spot. The lively sounds of the Wheaton Dixie cups starts off the evening from 6 to 6:45 p.m. Dr. Bruce Moss steps onto the podium to perform works that celebrate the 250th birthday of the United States of America.

For American audiences, the most celebrated patriotic music reflects American history and modern America. Songs shape American history and music helps express the deep emotions of triumph and tribulation. Music defines generations and moves the American soul.

What songs define American patriotism? There are so many to choose from, and certainly that presents the challenge for Moss, the music director of the Wheaton Municipal Band. Of the thousands of patriotic compositions, marches, and anthems for concert band, Moss is limited to a handful of works for this concert. Of course, marches stir the heart of patriotism. Be sure that Sousa is well represented.

What speaks to patriotism besides marches? The “American Overture for Band” by Joseph Wilcox Jenkins, written in 1955 for the United States Army Field Band. Listen carefully to the challenging French horn part.

Another American classic, “This Land is Your Land” by Woodie Guthrie, stands as one of the most famous American folk songs. Guthrie wrote this tune as a response to the continual performances of “God Bless America” on the radio in the late 1930s. In 2002, “This Land Is Your Land” was one of 50 recordings chosen by the Library of Congress to be added to the National Recording Registry.

Also on the program is the classic music from the documentary, “Victory at Sea.” The concert band adaptation of “Victory at Sea” composed by Richard Rodgers and arranged for wind band by Robert Russell Bennett represents the “Greatest Generation.” Rodgers wrote the original piano themes for the 1952 NBC television documentary about the U.S. Navy’s war-winning moments during World War II. Bennett orchestrated Rogers’ melodies and arranged them into a continuous symphonic suite. A good part of the music was composed by Bennet.

The July 2 concert will feature two special guest performers. Robert Holland performs the trombone solo — “The Blue Bells of Scotland” by Arthur Pryor. Based on the Scottish folk song, this solo presents technically challenging passages and allows the soloist to show off in different places throughout the piece. The speed and volume of notes presents a challenge to the soloist.

Also on the program will be Tom Birkner, former director of instrumental music at Belleville West High School from 1994 to 2016. Recognized as an outstanding soloist by the International Trumpet Guild and the National Association of Teachers of Singing, his performances include the Chicago Jazz Festival, Orchestra Hall in Chicago, and major jazz festivals in Italy, Sweden, and Denmark. Birkner joins the Wheaton Municipal Band in presenting song of American composers.

For more information, visit wheatonmunicipalband.org.