he Wheaton Band Festival Celebrates Its 15th Year
The Wheaton Band Festival Celebrates 15 Years of Music Making
The Wheaton Band festival continues the 15 year tradition of a weekend of music in Memorial Park on Friday, July 18 at 7:15 p.m. and Saturday, July 19 at 6:00 p.m. in beautiful Memorial Park in downtown Wheaton. The concert is free. The unique Wheaton Band Festival brings a variety of community bands up to the band shell for two relaxing evenings of music. This years program features:
FRIDAY 7:15 p.m. The Chicago Brass Band
8:15 p.m. Swing Low Sweet Cadillac
SATURDAY 6:00 p.m. The Fox Valley Concert Band
7:00 p.m. The Nite Hawks
8:00 p.m. The Northshore Concert Band
Carl Grapentine is the announcer.
The Chicago Brass Band, under the direction of Dr. Colin Holman, is an internationally acclaimed, award-winning band, which boasts the precision and discipline of a traditional British Brass Band. Swing Low Sweet Cadillac, under the direction of Jay Cohen, brings to the stage the jazz sounds of swing, Latin, jazz and pop. Toes will be tapping on Friday night. The Fox Valley Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Colin Holman, is in its 31st year of music making in the Fox Valley Area. This fine group of musicians brings a variety of musical styles to the concert and fills the park with great concert band music. The Nite Hawks bring unique arrangements of 50's be-bop and music from the Great American Songbook, Jazz and Pop. The Northshore Concert Band celebrates its 58th season. The 100-piece concert band performs throughout the Chicago metropolitan area and is considered a leader in community band music.
In addition, an instrument petting zoo will delight the kids. Children and adults can try a variety of instruments on Saturday evening.
The Wheaton Band Festival is the creation of Wheaton resident Glenn Arnold. He and his wife Margaret attended the Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville, Kentucky. They loved it so much they started the Wheaton Band Festival 15 years ago. The challenge has been to continue to obtain financial support. The Festival thanks the City of Wheaton, The Wheaton Park District, The Wheaton Police Department and local businesses and individuals for their continued support. The Festival also thanks the DuPage Foundation for its generous grant. Arnold says that one of the highlights of the 15 years of the festival was an instrument collection program for the Salvation Army that brought in over $50,000 worth of instruments that were donated to underprivileged children. Although that part of the festival has been discontinued, Arnold remains proud of that accomplishment.
Don't miss the opportunity to enjoy wonderful band music in Memorial Park in downtown Wheaton on Friday, July 18 at 7:15 p.m. and Saturday, July 19 at 6:00 p.m. Bring a lawn chair, a picnic, and sit back and relax. The concert is FREE. For more information go to www.wheatonbandfestival.org.