The eighth concert of the Michigan City Municipal Band’s (MCMB) 158th season will be held Thursday, July 23, 7:30p, at the Guy F. Foreman Bicentennial Amphitheater in Washington Park. In case of inclement weather, the concert will take place in the Michigan City High School Auditorium, 8466 W. Pahs Road.
The performance will feature two soloists from the US Marine Band, “The President’s Own.” MSG. Brandon Eubank, trumpet, will solo with the MCMB on the beautiful and lyrical A Trumpeter’s Lullaby by Leroy Anderson. MSG. Hiram Diaz will solo with the MCMB on the premiere of Variations on La Comparsa by Dennis Llinas. Dr. Llinas serves as director of bands at the University of Oregon. His composition presents the famous La Comparsa melody by Cuban composer Ernesto Lecuona, then showcases the dazzling technique of the euphonium in a set of variations. Later in the program, MSG. Eubank, MSG. Diaz, and the MCMB will collaborate on Joseph Turrin’s tour-de-force duet, Fandango. The work was composed for the principal trumpet and trombone in the New York Philharmonic Orchestra.
The audience will also have the opportunity to see the Back Home Again in Indiana bench that was painted by Tom Hornick and Ray Kominiariek, and is currently sitting at the corner of Ninth Street and Franklin Street in Michigan City. The bench is part of the Michigan City Public Art Committee’s “Heritage and Legacy” bench project. Tom Hornick and Ray Kominiariek’s artwork is one of 15 benches that have been decorated by local artists. Everyone can enjoy these beautiful benches throughout the summer, and they will be auctioned off in October as a local fundraiser.
In the audience for July 23, we look forward to welcoming attendees of the convention of the National Drifters, who will be meeting in Michigan City during the week. The National Drifters is an organization that provides service to local communities.
The remainder of the July 23 concert repertoire will be:
Pride of the Marines by Austyn Edwards
Pure Imagination by L. Bricusse and A. Newley, arr. Douglas Wagner
Frank Gast, conductor
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Paul Dukas, arr. James Curnow
Frank Gast, conductor
It’s All Right by Curtis Mayfield, arr. Chris Bernotas
Frank Gast, conductor
Danza Zanzare (Dance of the Mosquitoes) by JaRod Hall
Semper Fidelis by John Philip Sousa
Continuing its tradition of concluding each concert with a patriotic audience sing-along, the MCMB will close with Joyce Eilers’ arrangement of America (My Country, ‘Tis of Thee).
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 Parks sticker; otherwise, audience members will use the new automated parking procedure (which uses a QR code). The parking rate is $2 per hour in the Senior Center parking lot and Fedder’s Alley.
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.