Naperville Municipal Band will kick off its 160th anniversary year on stage at The Wentz on Feb. 17

UPDATE, Feb. 18, 2019 / Cheers to the Naperville Municipal Band and the Music Man of Naperville, pictured above with Kelsey Fletcher-Broucek, President of the NMB Board of Directors, after the Winter Concert on stage at Wentz Concert Hall.

Sunday’s 160th anniversary celebration was held in the banquet room at the Judd Kendall VFW Post 3873 where it was noted that Ron Keller will be half the age of the NMB on Feb. 24, 2019.

Happy days to all as the beat goes on and on and on, indoors and outside!

Original Post, Feb. 9, 2019 / With melodies that march from the past and present, the Naperville Municipal Band will introduce its 160th anniversary year at 3PM Sun., Feb. 17, on stage at the Wentz Concert Hall in the North Central College Fine and Performing Arts Center.

Established in 1859 as the Naperville Brass Band, the city’s band has changed its name a few times, but has been known as the Naperville Municipal Band since its official charter in 1928. Today the band features 90 members, with many substitutes waiting in the wings, available to fill in when needed.

Conductor and Music Director Ron Keller begins his 54th year of leadership of the award-winning band, proof that the dedicated composer and tuba player follows his own advice, “Music is for life.” 

Keller added that the Winter Concert will include music from each period, with songs that touch three centuries.

Special Selections featured for Winter Concert on February 17                  

The 2019 season for the Naperville Municipal Band is sure to be joyful and memorable with music to please all hearts and ages as the award-winning combination of Conductor Keller with concert narrator Ann Lord continue what they both consider a family of good friends and fellow music lovers, all working for the same goal—and “sometimes making mistakes together,” jokes Keller. Lord’s wit and running commentary will highlight  Naperville’s tradition of producing memories that include songs and marches composed by the city’s own “Music Man” as well as other band favorites. 

All Naperville Municipal Band concerts, indoors and outdoors, are free of admission charge.

Currently, the Naperville Municipal Band also is led by Assistant Conductor René R. Rosas, Assistant Conductor Emily Binder and Naperville Big Band Director Tracy Oliver.

The Wentz Concert Hall in the North Central College Fine and Performing Arts Center is located at 171 E. Chicago Avenue, just steps from downtown Naperville.

Naperville Municipal Band is upbeat about nonprofit community

Kelsey Fletcher-Broucek, President of the Naperville Municipal Band Board of Directors, is enthusiastic that during the summer concert series and at many of the indoor concerts, the city’s band also provides a spotlight for important nonprofit organizations that serve the community.

Currently, the band is accepting applications from qualified local nonprofit organizations to host one of the 11 bake sales for its Thursday evening summer concert series, June 6 through Aug. 15. Click here for details about the process to apply on March 4, 2019.

During the Winter Concert at 3PM Sun., Feb. 17, the featured charity will be A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter. An update about the needs of A.D.O.P.T. will be presented to the audience.

Monetary donations as well as pet supplies will be collected for A.D.O.P.T. before and after the concert in the lobby, Fletcher-Broucek said.

A.D.O.P.T. Wish List to help dogs, cats and the shelter

Thanks for donating only much-needed items on the Wish List. Storage of items not on the list can be a challenge.

For Cats…

Purina One Healthy Kitten Dry Food; Purina One Chicken & Turkey Dry Cat Food; Any type of wet food – our cats seem to like the ground/pate style best; Chicken or Turkey Jar Baby Food; Wand Toys and/or Food/treat dispensing toys.

For Dogs…

Dry Dog Food that has meat as the #1 ingredient and NO corn – some of our favorite, affordable brands are Kirkland (Costco), Canidae, and Taste of the Wild; Any type of wet food; Nylabones; Bully Sticks; Spray Cheese; Peanut Butter; Soft/Chewy/Meaty Training Treats – we love Zuke’s and Train Me brands; Freeze Dried Liver – we love Stewart, Rocco & Roxie Supply, Stella & Chewey’s brands; Snap-buckle martingale style collars in all sizes that are solid color green, yellow, or purple; Food/treat dispensing toys – we love Kong Wobbler, Busy Buddy Magic Mushroom, and IQ Ball.

For the Shelter…

Pet Safe Sidewalk Salt – very much needed in the winter! Also, 50-Gallon Heavy Duty Garbage Bags; Bleach; Paper Towels; Laundry Detergent and Hand Soap.

Brief Info about A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter, established in 1989

A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter is a private, nonprofit, no-kill animal shelter that provides housing and medical care for homeless animals while they wait for their forever homes. A.D.O.P.T. strives to provide individualized care and enrichment to every dog and cat that comes through their doors.

Support of A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter goes directly to caring for the animals at their shelter. Animal rescue is a 365 day a year job and it would not be possible without the generous support of the community.  A.D.O.P.T. thanks all of their supporters for their amazing dedication!

For more information about A.D.O.P.T. and the many way it serves the community, visit adoptpetshelter.org/.

Save the date for NMB Spring Concert on April 14

Thinking ahead, the 2019 Spring Concert set for 3PM Sun., April 14, at the Wentz Concert Hall will shed some light on the programs and needs of the Alive Center, a teen-led, teen-driven center focused on empowering the youth of today to become the impassioned, resilient leaders of tomorrow. 

For more information, visit www.napervilleband.org.

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