The Naperville Municipal Band hosted its Annual Spring Concert on Sun. April 22, at the Wentz Concert Hall in the North Central Concert Fine Arts Center.
The program featured a salute to the Illinois Bi-Centennial and the 100th anniversary of the first World War. NMB Conductor Ron Keller and Associate Conductor Emily Binder led the upbeat performance prior to the introduction of the concert’s featured guest conductor Patrick K. Sweeten, Lieutenant Commander, United States Navy Director, Fleet Band Activities, with tributes to the Navy.
While images of Hawaii, Sailors and Pearl Harbor were projected on a big screen behind the stage, Sweeten conducted “The Glory of the Yankee Navy,” a march by John Phillip Sousa; “That Others May Live,” by Jeremy S. Martin; and Eternal Father, Strong To Save” by Claude T. Smith.
Conductor Keller also introduced a very special piece played called “Post 43-The American Legion March.” Nearly 10 years ago, Keller said, he’d written a march in honor of “Judd Kendall and the VFW.” Now both Naperville service organizations are distinguished by their own marches.
The Annual Spring Concert marks the Naperville Municipal Band’s final indoor performance of the season. Next up is the Memorial Day Parade at 10:30AM in downtown Naperville, followed by the Memorial Day Remembrance Concert in Central Park at noon on Mon., May 28.
Then at 7:30PM on Thurs., June 7, the summer concert season begins outdoors in Central Park. For more info, visit www.napervilleband.org.
