Wheaton Municipal Band celebrating Pete Friedmann’s 45th year as announcer

The Wheaton Municipal Band will celebrate Pete Friedmann’s 45th season as the band’s announcer on Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Memorial Park Bandshell in downtown Wheaton.

As the longest-serving announcer in the band’s history, Friedmann takes his role seriously. A graduate of Northwestern University, he is no stranger to serving as the voice of an organization. He has been the longtime announcer for the Northwestern University Wildcats Marching Band, a position he has held since 1981. In addition, he announces Northwestern women’s basketball home games and has served as the announcer for the Big Ten Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament for the past six years. Friedmann has also announced games for the WNBA’s Chicago Sky, along with numerous other sporting events.

For the final concert of the Wheaton Municipal Band’s 2026 season, Friedmann selected the entire musical program.

Each selection has a special story, and Friedmann will share why these works are so meaningful to him. He also promises to reveal some of the music’s fascinating history and hidden details during the concert.

Among his selections are two works by the Strauss family: the Overture to “Die Fledermaus” by Johann Strauss Jr. and “The Radetzky March” by Johann Strauss Sr. Although both composers are best known for their waltzes, “The Radetzky March” is a spirited military march written in 2/4 time.

Another of Friedmann’s favorites is “Pines of the Appian Way” by Ottorino Respighi. This powerful movement is the dramatic finale of “Pines of Rome,” a four-movement orchestral suite. Beginning almost imperceptibly, the music gradually builds from a quiet pianissimo to a thrilling climax, depicting the steady approach of a mighty Roman army.

Also featured is “The Maker’s Mark” by Ryan Nowlin. This stirring work was commissioned to honor the 30th anniversary of Bruce Moss as music director of the Wheaton Municipal Band. Its premiere also celebrated the band’s 80th anniversary and the city of Wheaton’s 150th anniversary. This season marks Moss’s 47th year with the band and the Wheaton Municipal Band’s 97th season.

There are many more of Friedmann’s favorite selections on the program, and he looks forward to sharing the memories behind each one with the audience.

Join the Wheaton Municipal Band in celebrating Pete Friedmann’s 45th anniversary as the band’s announcer at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 6, at the Memorial Park Bandshell, 225 Karlskoga Ave. in downtown Wheaton. Admission is free.

For more information, visit wheatonmunicipalband.org.