Illinois Brass Band to hold patriotic concert July 26

Come join The Illinois Brass Band and Music Director Stephen Squires for an afternoon of music as they celebrate the semiquincentennial, the 250th anniversary, of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

This free concert will take place at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 26, on the shaded west lawn of First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights, 1903 E. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights.

In recognition of the semiquincentennial, the 30 member British-style brass band will be presenting a program of American composers, including Aaron Copland, Glen Miller, Jelly Roll Morton and many others. The concert will feature marches, patriotic tunes, ballads, Jazz, pop, Americana and movie selections.

The performance will also include the brass band premier of “March of Freedom” penned by the late David J. Westfall, who in his early career served as staff arranger for the 7th Army Soldier’s Chorus and the 33rd Army Band in Heidelberg, Germany. Westfall went on to teach music at the University of Akron. Westfall’s son, Richard, brought the piece to the attention of the band and agreed to have it arranged for The Illinois Brass Band for this special occasion.

Bring a chair or a blanket. The concert will move indoors in the event of inclement weather.

The Illinois Brass Band comprises 30 volunteer musicians from throughout the greater Chicago area. The band, founded in 1991 by George Foster and William Homer, is celebrating their 35th anniversary season. The band is a recognized 501(c)3 organization and is supported in part by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.