Above / Naperville Municipal Band Assistant Conductor René R. Rosas led The Gridiron Club, a rousing rendition of the march by John Philip Sousa. Sousa was a member of The Gridiron Club in Washington, D.C., the club for which the song was written. Sousa also wrote “The Stars and Stripes Forever,” NMB Conductor Ron Keller’s favorite march.
With memorable melodies that march from the past and present, the Naperville Municipal Band introduced its 160th anniversary year on Sun., Feb. 17, on stage at the Wentz Concert Hall in the North Central College Fine and Performing Arts Center.
During Sunday’s concert, Conductor and Music Director Ron Keller began his 54th year of leadership of the award-winning band during “Anniversaries,” proof that the dedicated composer and tuba player follows his own advice, “Music is for life.”
Also featured with batons in Sunday’s concert were assistant conductors René R. Rosas and Emily Binder. Vocalist Catherine Lord added her voice to the “Star Spangled Banner” and a musical medley from “The Music Man.”
Student musicians representing all five public high schools that serve Naperville also performed in “Anniversaries.”
Emcee Ann Lord connected the selected songs of the concert with her informative narration and memorable notes of history.
The Spring Concert is slated for 3PM Sun., April 14, at The Wentz. Then the 11-concert summer series on Thursday evenings in Central Park begins at 7:30PM on June 6, 2019.
