The Michigan City Municipal Band (MCMB) will begin its 155th season on Thursday, June 8, 7:30p, at the Guy F. Foreman Bicentennial Amphitheater in Washington Park.

The MCMB 155th season will consist of ten free Thursday concerts, beginning June 8, and ending August 10. All concerts begin at 7:30p and last about an hour. The band plays a wide variety of music, with concerts designed to entertain audience members of all ages. The MCMB also plays for the annual Memorial Day ceremony at Greenwood Cemetery, and in the Michigan City Patriotic Parade.

The June 8 concert repertoire will be:

The Invincible Eagle March by John Philip Sousa
Oblivion by Astor Piazzola (flute section feature)
Salvation is Created by Pavel Chesnokov, arr. Michael Brown
Pass the Pickles by Grace LeBoy
Thriller by Michael Jackson
Seminole Snake Dance by Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate
Promises, Promises by Burt Bacharach and Hal David
Light Cavalry Overture by Franz von Suppe
My America arr. Joyce Eilers

Astor Piazzola was an Argentine composer who was famous for tangos. Oblivion is a tango that features our tremendous flute section. Salvation is Created is a beautiful and popular choral anthem that demonstrates the band’s lovely blended sound. Pass the Pickles is a dance number by Grace LeBoy. Mrs. LeBoy was a successful stage composer of the early 20th century. She was often overshadowed by her husband, Gus Kahn, who was famous for music of vaudeville, Broadway, and films.

One of the most popular songs and albums of all time was Michael Jackson’s Thriller. This catchy tune will be familiar to all of our audience members. Oklahoma composer Jerod Impichchaachaaha’ Tate is member of the Chickasaw tribe. His Seminole Snake Dance features the percussion section, and allows us to learn that the snake dance was originally a water ceremony because snakes were the traditional guardians of springs.

Burt Bacharach, one of America’s great composers, died this year. We’ll honor Mr. Bacharach with a medley from his musical Promises, Promises. Light Cavalry Overture is a classic composition found on many band and orchestra programs, with familiar melodies that are often heard in movies, cartoons, television shows, and commercials.

Finally, the MCMB will continue its tradition of closing each concert with a patriotic audience sing-along. Joyce Eiler’s arrangement of America (My Country ‘tis of Thee) allows us to enthusiastically honor our great nation.

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 for the band concert.

Jeffrey Scott Doebler is the conductor for the MCMB, and Quincy Ford is the assistant conductor. On November 3, 2018, Dr. Doebler was named a Distinguished Hoosier by Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb. Dr. Doebler serves as director of music education and bands at Valparaiso University. He is a past president of the Indiana Bandmasters Association and the Indiana Music Education Association. 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.