Naperville Municipal Band Thursday Night Summer Concert Series

Thursday Evening Summer Concert Series in Central Park creates the perfect setting for picnics with family, friends and neighbors. Performances, free of admission charge, start at 7:30PM every Thursday.

Update, May 25, 2023 / Try this connect to the 2023 schedule, June 1 through Aug. 10. Thank you very much! CLICK HERE for the 11-week listing of Thursday evening concerts.

Update, Aug. 4, 2022 / According to our analytics, this page saved in PN’s archive has been searched often this week, attracting lots of looks. Note two concerts remain for this summer’s season. The Naperville Municipal Band plays “Sounds from Central Park” at 7:30PM Thurs., Aug. 4, 2022, and the NMB BIG Band Joint Big Band Concert is set to begin at 7:30PM Thurs., Aug. 11, 2022.

Looking forward, mark your calendar for the Fall Concert at 3PM Sun., Nov. 6, on stage at Wentz Concert Hall, for the annual tribute to Veterans Day.

Thanks, Naperville Municipal Band, for a great 2021 Summer Concert Season in Central Park! Watch for the return in June 2022. 

This page, originally posted in July 2019, has been updated to reflect the 2021 Naperville Municipal Band Summer Concert Season.


The Century Walk mural titled “The Great Concerto” graces the big stage door on the Community Concert Center in Central Park. Watch it go up beginning at 7:30PM for another opening, another show.

Strike up a tradition in Central Park!

Before radio, before TV, before smart phones, before streaming live…

The Naperville Municipal Band (under a variety of “community band” names) had been performing live in Central Park since 1859!

And so it goes. During this 162nd anniversary year, the band continues to play on and on this summer under the longtime leadership of Music Director and Conductor Ron Keller since 1966 and narration by Ann (Good) Lord since 1958, with a little help in recent years from assistant conductors René R. Rosas and Emily Binder, and Naperville Big Band Director Tracy Oliver.

Be sure to include a NMB Concert experience in your plans on a Thursday evening June 10 through Aug. 19.

June 10 – “Here’s That Band Again!” (8th grade scholarships will be awarded.)
June 17 – “Anniversaries and Memories”
June 24 – NMB Jazz Band
July 1 – “Patriotic Concert with 1812 Overture”
July 8 –  René Rosas Conducting
July 15 – René Rosas Conducting
July 22 – “Russ Bigelow Night”
July 29 – “Rhythm of the Winds”
August 5 – “Naperville is 190!”
August 12 – “So Long for a While”
August 19 – “Joint Jazz Bands”

What’s more, local nonprofit organizations will host a bake sale in the Central Park Gazebo, a time when board members and friends share information to help raise a little awareness and funds for a worthy cause. 

So… Pack a picnic basket. Buy a box lunch at one of downtown Naperville’s many eateries. Bring a little cash for the special treats, soft drinks and coffee at the Gazebo.

Come with collapsible chairs. Spread a blanket on the lawn. Or bring a cushion to sit on park benches…

Be ready when the huge stage door featuring the Century Walk mural of the “Great Concerto” goes up promptly at 7:30PM.

And join the crowd to enjoy the 90-minute concerts, often accompanied by a beautiful sunset, with a musical theme focused on familiar songs and popular marches.

Thanks for memories of the 2019 Summer Concert Season!

June 6 – “The Greatest Generation” (Led by NMB Conductor & Music Director Ron Keller)
Raffle Sponsor: Naper Settlement / Bake Sale: New Horizons Band

June 13 – “New York, New York” (Led by Assistant Conductor Emily Binder / Music Director Ron Keller on Tuba)
Raffle Sponsor: Catch 35 / Bake Sale: Naperville Noon Lions Club

June 20– NMB Big Band (Led by Naperville Big Band Director Tracy Oliver)
Raffle Sponsor: Positively Naperville / Bake Sale: Congregation Beth Shalom

June 27 – “Prelude to a Celebration” – 1812 Overture (Led by NMB Conductor & Music Director Ron Keller)
Raffle Sponsor: Two Bostons Pet Boutique / Bake Sale: Naperville Woman’s Club

Extra Note! At 6PM June 27, the District 204 Alumni Band Concert will perform at the Community Concert Center. The District 204 Alumni Band contains alumni, faculty, and friends of the District 204 music program. The concert will feature many popular melodies and the works of celebrated band composer and arranger, Alfred Reed.

July 45th Concert – “America’s Composers” (Alert! Early start 6PM)
Raffle Sponsor: Kevin McQuillan Law Offices / Bake Sale: Naperville Area AAUW (In order to participate in the weekly raffle, always remember to pick up a numbered program at the NMB Information Table or from one of the band’s student helpers.)

July 11 – “Happy 160”
Raffle Sponsor: Homewatch Care Givers / Bake Sale: Girl Up Club of Naperville

July 18 – “Vicki Keller Night” 50th Anniversary
Raffle Sponsor: Braconi’s Restaurant / Bake Sale: Naperville North Field Hockey Club

Special recognition to honor Vicki Keller’s 50th Anniversary as a clarinetist with the Naperville Municipal Band was received from the White House, Illinois State Capitol and Naperville Municipal Center. Also to mark the occasion, a longtime friend and NMB fan put together a collage of memories, too.

July 25 – “René’s Conducting” (Led by Assistant Conductor René R. Rosas)
Raffle Sponsor: Rotary Club of Naperville-Downtown & 23rd Annual Rotary Ride on Aug. 11 / Bake Sale:  Friends of Lizzy’s Fund to help senior dogs thrive.

August 1 – “Back in the Saddle” (Led by NMB Assistant Conductors Emily Binder and René R. Rosas)
Raffle Sponsor: Ellman’s Music Center (Note special “Instrument Petting Zoo from 6-7PM hosted by Pete Ellman / Bake Sale: Naperville Area Humane Society

August 8 – “So Long For A While” (Led by NMB Conductor & Music Director Ron Keller and Assistant Director René R. Rosas with ever-entertaining commentary by Ann Good Lord and standing ovations from the appreciative audience / Bubble blowing tributes, too!) Click here for Galley of Photos.
Raffle Sponsor: Naperville Bank and Trust / Bake Sale: League of Women Voters

On with the finale at 7:30PM Thurs., Aug. 15

August 15 – Joint Big Band Concert (Led by Naperville Big Band Director Tracy Oliver)
Raffle Sponsor: Naperville Municipal Band / Bake Sale: Cross of Christ Fellowship

All performances are free and open to the public. Stage door goes up at 7:30PM. Same time next summer!

For more information about the band that’s been around since 1859, visit www.napervilleband.org.

Thanks for a wonderful summer season!

Click here for PN Photo Galleries

Click here for post about two concerts celebrating America’s birthday, June 27 and July 4.

Updated June 9, 2021

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