Above / Friends, family and neighbors packed Central Park for the Independence Day Concert to celebrate Naperville’s Sesquicentennial on July 4, 1981. The Naperville Municipal Band plays on beginning at 7:30PM June 9, 2016.
UPDATE June 10, 2016 / Brief overview and photo Gallery from the first band concert of the season.
Celebrating a 157 years in Naperville
The Naperville Municipal Band is set for its season opener beginning at 7:30PM Thurs., June 9.
All live performances featured in the 11-concert summer series begin at 7:30PM at the Naperville Community Concert Center in Central Park, 104 E. Benton Ave., in downtown Naperville.
Conductor and Music Director Ron Keller returns to strike up the 100-member band, beginning his 51st year of leadership, a dream come true that began when he was 27 years old!
Every memorable concert is chock full of traditions, entertaining banter by concert moderator Ann Lord and a bake sale in the gazebo to benefit one of the community’s nonprofit organizations.
The first concert, for example, is sponsored by Naper Settlement with a bake sale hosted by the Naperville Art League.
Above / The stage door of the Naperville Community Concert Center depicts a Century Walk mural titled “The Great Concerto.” Â When it lifts on Thursday evenings, park benches fill with patrons who come to celebrate that the Naperville Municipal Band has been playing since 1859.
During every concert, patrons can participate in a drawing for one of four $25 gift certificates, thanks to the Naperville businesses that are sponsoring the concerts.
Park bench seating is available.
Many patrons bring their own lawn chairs or a blanket to spread on the ground. Other couples and families come early to enjoy a picnic or a special boxed dinner-to-go from Catch 35 or another downtown eatery.
Concerts are open to the public and free of charge.
2016 Concert Schedule
June 9Â – “Curtain Up” – Scholarship winners announced
June 16 – “A European Vacation”
June 23 – “Game Day!”
June 30 – “America the Beautiful” (1812 Overture)
July 7 – “NMB Big Band” under the leadership of Tracy Oliver
July 14 – “Robert Morris Night – 50 years”
July 21 – “First Responders”
July 28 – “Something Old, Something New”
August 4 – “Music Under the Stars” – Service Awards given
August 11 – “Great Band Music”
August 18 – Joint Big Band Concert directed by Tracy Oliver
