The fourth concert of the 158th season of the Michigan City Municipal Band (MCMB) will be held Thursday, June 25, 7:30pm, at the Guy Foreman Amphitheater in Washington Park. The concert theme is titled “Animal Attractions” a dedication to our animal friends at the Washington Park Zoo.
The June 25 concert repertoire will be selected from the following compositions:
The Black Horse Troop by John Philip Sousa, edited by Frederick Fennell
The Bare Necessities from Walt Disney’s THE JUNGLE BOOK arr. by Paul Murtha
March of the Arachnids by Randall D. Standridge
Send in the Clowns from the musical A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC arr. by Frank D. Cofield
Call of the Wild by Brian Balmages
Carnival of the Animals arr. by Jay Bocook
Fireflies arr. by John Wasson
Selections from The Greatest Showman arr. by Paul Murtha
Circus Bee arr. by Calvin Custer
Frank D. Cofield (1913–2005) was an American composer, arranger, and educational editor. Holding a bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and a master’s degree from George Peabody College, his works bridged the gap between popular American culture and the classroom. His extensive library of arrangements and original compositions remains an enduring testament to the mid-20th-century American school band movement.
Brian Balmages (b. 1975) is an American composer, conductor, producer, and educator. Renowned for his ability to write engaging, deeply meaningful literature for all proficiency levels, his works are staples in the wind band and string orchestra repertoires. An elected member of the American Bandmasters Association, Balmages resides in Baltimore, Maryland, and continues to use his musical platform to support global relief efforts, honor student legacies, and advocate for the transformative power of school music programs.
Continuing its tradition of concluding each concert with a patriotic audience sing-along, the Michigan City Municipal Band will close with A Patriotic Festival arr. by Mark Williams.
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, audience members will use the new automated parking procedure (which uses a QR code).
Jeffrey Scott Doebler is the conductor of the MCMB, and Frank Gast is the assistant conductor. In 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. Gast serves as director of bands at Michigan City High School.
The band’s announcer is Rick Carlson.