Friends of the Wheaton Municipal Band to take a bow July 28

Everyone needs friends, and the Wheaton Municipal Band is no exception.

On Thursday, July 29, the weekly summer concert will honor the Friends of the Wheaton Municipal Band for all their work and tireless commitment.

The concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the new band shell in Memorial Park in downtown Wheaton.

Although the City of Wheaton funds the Wheaton Municipal Band, additional money is needed to forward the band's mission.

The Friends of the WMB fundraises to help support the band's vision. The money they make goes for scholarships, outreach, music commissions, and equipment.

Most audience members know the tireless workers from the concession stand, but their efforts go beyond selling candy and popcorn.

Thank you to all of them who solicited sponsors, Bandwagon donations and endowment fund contributions. But also, this concert honors the friends in the loyal audience who together with the Wheaton Municipal Band create the special experience of Thursday night band concerts in Memorial Park.

This week's concert features music selected by Friends of the Band.

John Erich chose "The Cowboys" by John Williams. Erich, a clarinetist in the band, also creates the weekly programs. "The Cowboys," a 1972 film staring John Wayne, was one of only five westerns Williams scored. The rousing musical theme is heard throughout the film in a variety of variations. The band score is sure to delight the audience.

Larry and Judy Beckerdite raised their hands for "A Salute to Glenn Miller."

Tina Cavalli always asks for "Phantom of the Opera, " and Friends' founder Cheryl Nurse selected "The High School Cadets" by John Philip Sousa.

Without the tireless efforts of the Friends of the Wheaton Municipal Band, the band would have limited resources to create programs and promote music. This concert thanks the Friends of the Wheaton Municipal Band.

As a special guest, the Wheaton Municipal Band welcomes Douglas Yeo, performing "Concertino Basso" for bass trombone.

As a former member of the Boston Symphony and a current professor at Wheaton College, Yeo performed a solo with the Wheaton Municipalal Band on Thursday, July 25, 1974, when he was a Wheaton College student. Yeo said, " It only took 46 years for me to return, but I am looking forward to a happy reunion."

Also soloing on the program is Barb Holland on piccolo.

In her 19th year with the Wheaton Municipal Band, Holland performs "Le Merle Blanc" ("The White Thrush") by Eugene Damare.

Holland, originally from San Antonio, Texas, now lives in Chicago. Holland performs throughout the Chicago area in bands, orchestras, and chamber music.

The free concert begins at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Park, 225 Karlskoga Ave. in downtown Wheaton. Bring a lawn chair or sit up front in the stadium seating.

For more information go to www.wheatonmunicipalband.org.

Follow www.facebook.com/WheatonMunicipalBand.