Wheaton Municipal Band sizzles in Memorial Park on June 16

Summer sizzles with fun, sun and Wheaton Municipal Band Concerts. The WMB season continues on Thursday, June 16 at 8:00 p.m. in Memorial Park, 208 West Union Avenue, Wheaton, when Music Director Dr. Bruce Moss commands the helm of the world class Wheaton Municipal Band.

This summer is Dr. Moss' 32nd season, and he says he returns year after year because of “the band's mission, the support of the city and the community for this unique and excellent group, and most importantly, the great people involved.” Dr. Moss faces the challenge of putting on a new concert each week with only one rehearsal. In addition, the band is a new group, year after year. There are returning core members, but this auditioned ensemble changes each year. “I enjoy the challenge of crafting out something new each season,” said Dr. Moss. “It takes careful planning and a clear assessment of what the goals are each week. I am always thinking about what will challenge the musicians and what the audience needs to feed their soul.”

The concert opens with “Fanfare Canzoniques” by Balmagues,” followed by the “Athletic Festival March” by Serge Prokofieff. Prokofieff wrote this stirring march in the spirit of Russian patriotism. The piece that challenges the band is the “Festival Variations” by the Smith, an American composer. To thrill the audience, the band will play “Fantasia on Lady of Spain” by Evans, “Gridiron Club” by Sousa, and The Finale from Kalinnikov's “Symphony #1.” The concert closes with favorite marches.

Featured at this concert will be Matthew Norman (Schaumburg) on Trombone playing “Morceau Symphonique” by Guilmant. Norman is a junior at the prestigious Eastman School of Music. “Music is all around me,” says Norman. “It is an outlet to make an emotional connection with the listener.”

Don't miss this exciting concert on Thursday, June 16 at 8:00 p.m. in Memorial Park.