The fourth concert of the 157th season of the Michigan City Municipal Band (MCMB) will be held Thursday, June 26, 7:30p, at the Guy F. Foreman Bicentennial Amphitheater in Washington Park.
Special guest artists will be Anne Marie Bice, soprano soloist; and Richard Liwosz, clarinet soloist. Guest conductor for one selection will be Jacen Smith. Mr. Smith is one of the band teachers in the Michigan City Area Schools, and he plays horn in the MCMB. The band will also honor two recently-retired, long-time members of the band.
The June 26 concert repertoire will be:
Homeward Bound March by John Philip Sousa
Clarinet on the Town by Ralph Hermann
Richard Liwosz, clarinet
La Fiera Asturiana by Michele Fernandez
Jacen Smith, conductor
Summertime by George Gershwin and DuBose Heyward
Anne Marie Bice, soprano
Someone to Watch Over Me by George and Ira Gershwin
Anne Marie Bice, soprano
Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla
Octane by Quincy Hilliard
Sing-along: A Patriotic Festival by Mark Williams
Mr. and Mrs. Roger and Susan Smith have recently retired from the MCMB. Sue played oboe and Roger played clarinet. Sue was a member of the MCMB for 57 years, and Roger was a member for 69 years. Roger’s tenure was even longer than the astonishing 60-year tenure of the late conductor Guy Foreman! Chosen by Sue and Roger, the MCMB will play three selections to honor them: two songs by George Gershwin, and one selection by Astor Piazzolla.
Guest soprano soloist, Anne Marie Bice, will sing the two Gershwin songs to honor Sue and Roger Smith: Summertime and Someone to Watch Over Me. Summertime comes from the1935 opera Porgy and Bess, and Someone to Watch Over Me comes from the 1926 musical Oh, Kay. Ms. Bice is a voice professor from Valparaiso University. She has extensive performance experience, sings in a wide variety of styles, and has been soloing with the Michigan City Municipal Band since 2015.
Guest clarinet soloist, Richard Liwosz, is in his 29th season with the MCMB. Mr. Liwosz is a retired music educator from the Michigan City Area Schools. He plays clarinet in the Michigan City Municipal Band, Windiana Concert Band, and the all-clarinet ensemble “ACE”. Mr. Liwosz holds degrees from Butler University, Purdue University, and Indiana Wesleyan University. Clarinet on the Town has a cheerful melody and a quick tempo. It will allow Mr. Liwosz to demonstrate his dazzling technique, wonderful expression, and fun sense of humor.
Jacen Smith will conduct the fiery Spanish march La Fiera Asturiana by Florida composer Michele Fernandez. The MCMB has commissioned Mrs. Fernandez to compose a tribute to The Statue of Liberty, which will be premiered on July 24.
Continuing its tradition of concluding each concert with a patriotic audience sing-along, the Michigan City Municipal Band will close with Mark Williams’ inspiring medley of national songs: A Patriotic Festival.
All of the concerts are free, and everyone is welcome. School band members and young children are especially encouraged to attend. Parking on Lake Shore Drive is prohibited. Parking is available in the lots closest to the amphitheater, as well as the Senior Center. Entrance to the park is free with a Michigan City Park sticker; otherwise, there is a parking fee of $4 ($8 for buses) for the band concert.
Jeffrey Scott Doebler is the conductor for the MCMB, and Quincy Ford is the assistant conductor. Dr. Doebler serves as director of music education and bands at Valparaiso University. Mr. Ford, principal saxophone in the MCMB, is retired director of bands and music department chair from Michigan City High School.
The band’s announcer is Rick Carlson.