Opening its ten-week summer season of “Music Under the Stars,” the Sterling Municipal Band will have their first concert on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. Music will start at 7:30 p.m. at Grandon Civic Center, 212 E. 4th Street, downtown Sterling, IL. Under the direction of Jon James, the band will feature marches from J. J. Richards and John Philip Sousa, along other popular composers.
During “Music Under the Stars”, guest conductor Gary Aiken, Director of Bands, New Caney High School, New Caney, TX, will take a turn at the podium. Guest clarinet soloist Dr. Shandra Helman, Associate Professor of Clarinet and Saxophone, Woodwind Area Coordinator, Idaho State University, will conduct on Wednesday, June 14.
Other featured artists and conductors will be:
- June 21–Colonel Alan Bonner (USAF Ret.), United States Air Force Band Commander and Conductor (1991-1995)
- June 28–William Petersen, Freeport High School Band Director and Highland Community College Big Band Director
- July 12–Colonel Thomas Palmatier (USA, Ret.), Leader and Commander, U. S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own” (2011-2014)
- July 26–Margaret Cornils-Luke, feature guest flute soloist
- August 2–Erik Oberg, Orchestra and Band Director, Sterling Community Unity School District #5 and Band Director Rock Valley College.
On Wednesday July 5, the Sterling Municipal Band will perform their patriotic-themed concert. Live cannons will be fired to accent the band’s performance of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.” On Wednesday, July 19, a Kid’s Koncert will be a family-friendly event, with special music and demonstrations specifically for the children attending the concert.
The Sterling Municipal Jazz Band will perform this summer on Saturday nights (June 17, July 1, July 15, and July 29) at 7:30 p.m. at Grandon Civic Center.
For more information, contact Jon James at 815-622-1681 or visit http://ci.sterling.il.us/band.cfm.