Above / The stage will be set at 4PM Sun., Nov. 5, at the Wentz Concert Hall for the opening of the indoor season of the Naperville Municipal Band. (PN File Photo)
Update, Nov. 5, 2023 / With warm greetings from Naperville Municipal Band Director Emily Binder, the fall concert titled “Tribute” was an opportunity to honor cherished friendships, celebrated composers, memories of loved ones who have passed as well as express gratitude to the City of Naperville for its unwavering support. Selected music also paid tribute to all Veterans, mindful of Veterans Day on Nov. 11.
In addition, Binder welcomed Mayor Scott Wehrli to the stage to recognize Ron Keller upon his debut as Director Emeritus.
During the brief ceremony, Mayor Wehrli said that in June when the summer concert season begins at the Community Concert Center in Central Park, members of the Naperville Municipal Band will dedicate its stage in honor of Ron Keller.
Next up, the Naperville Municipal Band will perform its annual Holiday Concert at 3PM Sun., Dec. 10, 2023, in the Neuqua Valley High School Auditorium, located at 2360 95th St. Admission is free of charge. Plenty of free parking is available.
For more information with updates about the Naperville Municipal Band that’s been around since 1859, visit www.napervilleband.org.
Original Post, Oct. 30, 2023 / The Naperville Municipal Band under the new leadership of Conductor Emily Binder will perform its annual Fall Concert at 4PM Sun., Nov. 5 on stage in Wentz Concert Hall, located at 171 E. Chicago Avenue in the North Central College Fine and Performing Arts Center.
“The theme is ‘Tribute,’” noted Binder. “We will be paying tribute to the City of Naperville, multiple composers who have been pioneers, friends and loved ones who have passed on, and most importantly, our veterans for Veterans Day.”
Ron Keller will make his debut as Director Emeritus by conducting his march Sesquicentennial and the Armed Forces Salute, including the new Space Force theme.
Bill Jastrow will make his official debut as Associate Director by conducting his own arrangement of Kenneth Alford’s The Middy and a beautiful tribute to loved ones we have lost called Whispers from Beyond by Rossano Galante.
“We are very excited by the repertoire,” added Binder, “As it includes diverse composers, a wide variety of moods, and an abundance of music that will be as fun to listen to as it will be to perform.”
Wentz Concert Hall is located at the North Central College Fine and Performing Arts Center, 171 E. Chicago Avenue. Admission is free of charge, thanks to the City of Naperville SECA Fund.
Save dates for Naperville Municipal Band Concerts at other locations
3PM Sun., Dec. 10, 2023, in the Neuqua Auditorium: Holiday Concert. This annual concert will celebrate music of the season.
3PM Sun., March 17, 2024, in the Metea Auditorium: A Salute to Lifelong Musicianship. This concert will be a combined performance featuring the NMB and the Metea Valley Wind Ensemble
Sun., May 19, 2024 (Times TBD) in the Community Concert Center: A Community Concert Center Celebration. This new event will be an afternoon of performance featuring all of the community groups that rehearse at the Naperville Community Concert Center. The concert will include Young Naperville Singers, Naperville Youth Symphony Orchestra, Naperville Municipal Big Band, New Horizons Band and the Naperville Municipal Band.. Stay tuned for details as they become available in the spring.
For more information and updates about the Naperville Municipal Band that’s been around since 1859, visit www.napervilleband.org.
First indoor concert of the season is at Wentz Concert Hall
One more thing…Wentz Concert Hall has been critically acclaimed for its acoustics and sound-absorbing design. It’s noted that two massive sound chambers, one on each side of the stage and invisible to the audience, enhance the audio characteristics and allow sound to bounce off multiple planes as it is directed to the audience on the main floor and the balcony.
Experiencing music in the 605-seat Wentz Concert Hall is a remarkable pleasure to be enjoyed by all. The Naperville Municipal Band looks forward to kicking off its indoor season on stage at The Wentz.
