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Bach to Basics

Bach to Basics

Listen to an eclectic selection of music performed by the Palatine Concert Band on Sunday, November 10 at the Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center, 150 E. Wood Street in Palatine. This concert marks the opening of the 2019-2020 indoor concert season for this talented group of volunteer musicians-directed once again this season by Dr. Frederick Lowe. The concert will begin at 3:30 p.m.

The Palatine Concert Band may be one of the best kept secrets of the suburbs. Originally formed with 15 members in 1875, known as the Palatine Military Band, it was billed as "The Melody Toast Of The Northwest Suburbs." Anyone who wanted just brought their instrument and played. The band practiced in Knickrene's cabinet shop. The band, unfortunately, was dissolved in 1935.

However, in 1955, 18 local musicians played in the Palatine Centennial Parade as the Palatine Military Band, on a wagon pulled by truck. The Village Manager of Palatine, Robert Eppley, lead the effort to revitalize the band. Women were welcomed as members of the band for the first time in 1958.

Over the following years the band has been conducted by many dedicated and talented conductors. Professional and student soloists as well as celebrity narrators are often featured at concerts. Look for an early photo of the band hanging in the Cutting Hall lobby the next time you attend a concert.

The theme of the upcoming November 10th concert is "Bach to Basics" and features the following four selections by Johann Sebastian Bach: "Bach's Fugue À La Gigue", "Fervent is My Longing", "Fugue in G Minor", and "Passacaglia and Fugue"; also featuring "Old Home Days" by Charles E. Ives, "Symphonic Prelude" by Mark Camphouse, and "Symphonic Dances" from Fiddler on the Roof by Jerry Bock.

The Palatine Concert Band will perform four indoor concerts this season. After the upcoming November 10th concert, the band performs their annual Holiday Concert on December 6th. All indoor concerts start at 3:30 p.m. except the Holiday Concert that starts at 7:00 p.m. The band takes a well earned break during December. Rehearsals resume again in January for the Winter Concert held on March 1, 2020 at the Palatine High School Auditorium. The final indoor concert will be performed on May 3rd back at the Cutting Hall Performing Arts Center.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for students/seniors, and $1 for children 12 and under. Tickets are available at the door, or in advance either on-line at cuttinghall.org or by phone at 847-202-5222. Additional information about the band can be found at palatineconcertband.org, and on Facebook at facebook.com/palatineconcertband.

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