Wheaton, Illinois Jul 15, 2019 (Issuewire.com) - 90 Years ago Harding was president, Mickey Mouse came on the scene, and the country was in the heart of depression, yet the City of Wheaton had the foresight to form the Wheaton Municipal Band. 19 musicians made up the ensemble, which performed for the 4th of July and at swimming pools. 90 years later the Wheaton Municipal B stands as a leader in the music world. The 89 musicians perform under the direction of Dr. Bruce Moss, who celebrates his 40th year with the band. The WMB stands among the most outstanding concert bands of its type in the country. Over the 90 years the Wheaton Municipal band, funded by the City of Wheaton and in cooperation with the Wheaton Park District, has grown to a full symphonic concert band. The band draws audiences from communities throughout the Chicagoland area. For many families, the band concerts are a family tradition. The Wheaton band steps back in time to the days of family picnics in the park and ice cream socials.
In the 90 Years, the Wheaton Municipal Band has performed for thousands of loyal audience members in Memorial Park in downtown Wheaton. In addition, the WMB performed at Grant Park in Chicago, The Midwest Clinic International Band and Orchestra Conference at McCormick Place, twice, was featured in the documentary, ”If You Knew Sousa,” and has featured a wide variety of guests and artists. This year Robert Sheldon, prolific composer and conductor, leads the band on Thursday, June 27. Dr. John Locke steps to the podium on Tuesday, July 2 to channel John Philip Sousa. Captain Ryan Nowlin, assistant conductor of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, Dr. Ben Pierce, euphonium soloist for the University of Arkansas, and Iconic jazz saxophonist Lou “Blue Lou” Marini join the WMB at Edman Chapel on August 3.
Under the direction of Dr. Bruce Moss, the Wheaton Municipal Band attracts the finest musicians and performs for enthusiastic audiences. The musicians only have a two and a half hour rehearsal to prepare for a new concert each week. Everyone steps up to the challenge and the concerts please even the most critical of listeners. The programs present all types of concert band music, from typical marches to orchestral transcriptions, to new compositions, to old favorites. The band often welcomes guest conductors and guest soloists, as well as showing off some of the band’s talented members.
The 2019 season marks the 90th Anniversary season, but the August 1 concert, at 7:30 p.m. in Memorial Park in downtown Wheaton and August 3 concert at Edman Chapel at Wheaton College culminate the celebration.
For more information about the Wheaton Municipal Band, check out the band’s website at http://www.wheatonmunicipalband.org
Media Contact
PR Manager gail.sonkin@gmail.com 6302601288 2 S 431 Burning Trail http://www.wheatonmunicipalband.org
