7:30PM Thursdays, June 7 through August 16, 2018 – Central Park
Everybody’s welcome on Thursday evenings to enjoy outdoor music and fellowship with friends, families and visitors in Central Park performed by the Naperville Municipal Band.
Spectators sit on benches, blankets or their own folding chairs. Some set up portable tables for picnics. Others purchase delicious homemade goodies prepared by charitable organizations that won the lottery for a coveted spot in the gazebo for the week.
Children bounce up and down, keeping time with the music. Well-behaved dogs snooze next to their owners. Couples hold hands and longtime Napervillians put their heads together, remembering other concerts, familiar tunes and other nights.
Oh! The joy that accompanies the sounds of the Naperville Municipal Band when the community comes together for old-fashioned fun every Thursday during the summer concert series.
Be sure to pick up a program for the evening’s selections. Numbers from 1 to 1,000 give band fans a chance to win prizes from local merchants and/or gift cards for downtown Naperville.
Note: Naperville Municipal Band officials make a decision by 7PM every Thursday whether the stage door will go up for the summer performance that evening, weather permitting.
June 7 – 1st Concert – Another Opening, Another Show
Plus 8th Grade Scholarship Winners and Ron Keller Scholarship Winner
Drawing Sponsor: Naper Settlement; Bake Sale: Wesley United Methodist Church
Gallery of Photos from June 7, 2018
June 14 – 2nd Concert – Family Night Plus
Drawing Sponsor: Ellman’s Music Center; Bake Sale: Turning Pointe Autism Foundation
Gallery of Photos from June 14, 2018
June 21 – 3rd Concert – In The Good Ol’ Summertime
Drawing Sponsor: Positively Naperville; Bake Sale: Young Naperville Singers
Alert! June 21… Since it’s been raining most of the day and the forecast shows showers and possible storms, stay tuned for the decision to play or not to play by 7PM. Thanks!
Update! June 21… Noting the revised forecast, more than 250 devoted band fans were in attendance when the large stage door at the Community Concert Center went up as scheduled. Under the leadership of Assistant Band Director René R. Rosas with narration by Ann Lord, Lord welcomed everyone who braved the threat of rain to attend this week’s tribute “In the Good Old Summertime” on the longest day of the year.
The misty rain opened umbrellas, but for the most part, didn’t dampen the spirits of the audience that enjoyed 12 numbers, including alto saxophone soloist, Kay Elli, who played Harlem Nocturne, and the NMB Saxophone Quartet with “That’s All Folks!”
A special Irish tribute in memory of the band’s good friend and fellow musician, Kathy Moran, also was performed with an encore by the NMB Double Reed Ensemble.
Slices of homemade rhubarb-strawberry pie and other tasty treats prepared for the Young Naperville Singers bake sale fundraiser in the gazebo also were enjoyed. Thanks to all!
June 28 – 4th Concert – Patriotic Salute & 1812 Overture to pay tribute to America and Independence Day
Drawing Sponsor: Catch 35; Bake Sale: Women’s Auxiliary for the Knights of Columbus
Gallery of Photos from June 28, 2018
And the band plays on… Next up…
July 5 – 5th Concert – NMB Big Band
Drawing Sponsor: Two Bostons Pet Boutique; Bake Sale: A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter
July 12 – 6th Concert – A Night At The Oscars
Drawing Sponsor: Braconi’s Restaurant; Bake Sale: Villa St. Benedict Foundation
July 19 – 7th Concert – Forward March, A Salute to Illinois
Drawing Sponsor: Century Walk Corporation; Bake Sale: Angels on Wheels Animal Rescue
July 26 – 8th Concert – Audience Request
Drawing Sponsor: FROST Gelato (BBM Inc.); Bake Sale: Naperville Newcomers and Neighbors
Aug. 2 – 9th Concert – A Melodic Caravan
Drawing Sponsor: Homewatch CareGivers; Bake Sale: DuPage Unitarian Universalist Church
Aug. 9 – 10th Concert – Thanks for the Memories
Drawing Sponsor: Naperville Bank & Trust; Bake Sale: Naperville Central HS Band Booster Association
Aug. 16 – 11th Concert – NMB Joint Big Band Concert
Drawing Sponsor: Naperville Municipal Band; Bake Sale: DuPage County 4-H Foundation
All performances begin at 7:30PM. Free of charge. Open to public.
Central Park is located at 104 E Benton Ave. in downtown Naperville, behind U.S. Bank, northeast of Washington St. and Jefferson Ave.
Tentative Schedule, subject to change.
Naperville Municipal Band
For more information about the award-winning community band that’s been around since 1859, visit www.napervilleband.org.