CONCERT SCHEDULE 2026
The MCMB’s 158th season will consist of ten free concerts, beginning June 4, and ending August 6. The band plays a wide variety of music, with concerts designed to entertain audience members of all ages. The concerts last about an hour. The MCMB also plays for the annual Memorial Day ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery, and in the Michigan City Summer Festival Parade.
The MCMB is pleased to announce that our newly-appointed assistant conductor is Frank Gast. Mr. Gast serves as director of bands at Michigan City High School, and also plays trumpet in the MCMB. Quincy Ford served as the MCMB assistant conductor from 2014-2025. Mr. Ford will continue conducting the MCMB in the annual Summer Festival Parade, and he will maintain his position as the MCMB’s principal saxophone.
Highlights of the MCMB summer concert series include special guest soloists and two commissions by acclaimed composers. Guest artists will be MSG. Hiram Diaz, euphonium, and MSG. Brandon Eubank, trumpet, from the US Marine Band (July 23); Michelle Howisen, soprano (July 9); Anne Marie Bice, soprano (June 11, August 6), JD Flynn, baritone saxophone (June 4). The June 18 concert will celebrate Juneteenth, and the July 2 concert will have a special focus on the USA Semiquincentennial. Other soloists and special events will be announced during the season.
The MCMB will present the premieres of two commissions:
Portraits of Joy by Edna Alejandra Longoria (June 4 and again on July 23)
Variations on La Comparsa for euphonium and band by Dennis Llinas (July 23)
Edna Alejandra Longoria is a versatile composer from Texas. Portraits of Joy was “inspired by the spirit of [Michigan City] and her soon-to-be-born daughter Elisa.” Mrs. Longoria imagined walking through Washington Park at various times of the year, watching children play, experiencing the Festival of Lights, admiring the beauty of sunrise over the lake, and hearing the historic Michigan City Municipal Band.
Dennis Llinas is a Cuban/Colombian composer and conductor who is serving as director of bands at the University of Oregon. He’s appeared professionally around the world, including last January in Fort Wayne, where he conducted the Indiana Music Education Association Honor Band. Dr. Llinas grew up hearing and performing the music of the great Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona. Like MSG. Diaz, Dr. Llinas has Cuban heritage. When commissioned by the MCMB to compose a solo for euphonium and band in the form of “theme and variations”, Dr. Llinas immediately knew he would use Ernesto Lecuona’s famous La Comparsa. The title refers to musicians who appear in Latin American community festivals.
In addition to being outstanding performers, many of the MCMB members are successful conductors. Two of those conductors will be featured on individual compositions throughout the summer: Caitlyn Coller (July 30) and Dakota Maze (August 6). The band will also recognize one of its just-retired members—Mary Lee Riley—who played clarinet in the band for 63 years (June 11).
158th Season Schedule
Monday, May 25 Memorial Day Concert & Ceremony
10:00am Concert, 11am Ceremony
Greenwood Cemetery, G.A.R. Memorial
(Rain site: Skwiat Post near Ames Field)
Thursday, June 4 – Concert #1 – 7:30p – Amphitheater
Thursday, June 11- Concert #2 – 7:30p – Amphitheater
Thursday, June 18 – Concert #3 – 7:30p – Amphitheater
Thursday, June 25 – Concert #4 – 7:30p – Amphitheater
Saturday, June 27 – Summer Festival Parade – 11:00a
Thursday, July 2- Concert #5 – 7:30p – Amphitheater
Thursday, July 9 – Concert #6 – 7:30p – Amphitheater
Thursday, July 16 – Concert #7 – 7:30p – Amphitheater
Thursday, July 23 – Concert #8 – 7:30p – Amphitheater
Thursday, July 30 – Concert #9 – 7:30p – Amphitheater
Thursday, August 6 – Concert #10 – 7:30p – Amphitheater