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.

The seventh concert of the 158th season of the Michigan City Municipal Band (MCMB) will be held Thursday, July 16, 7:30pm, at the Guy Foreman Amphitheater in Washington Park. The concert is titled “From Film and Screen”.

The July 16 concert repertoire will be selected from the following compositions:

Captain America March arr. by Paul Murtha
Waltz No. 2 by Dmitri Shastokovich arr. by James Curnow
Cartoon Carnival arr. by Jack Bullock
The Sorcerer’s Apprentice by Paul Dukas arr. by James Curnow
Pure Imagination arr. by Douglas Wagner
It’s All Right arr. by Chris Bernotas
Big Band Signatures arr. by John Higgins
Ashokan Farewell arr. by Calvin Custer
Selections from Chicago arr. by Ted Ricketts
Hans Zimmer: Movie Milestones arr. by Michael Brown

Paul Dukas (1865–1935) was a seminal French composer, critic, and scholar whose brilliant orchestration left an indelible mark on Western classical music. Universally celebrated for his dazzling symphonic poem The Sorcerer’s Apprentice—immortalized globally by Disney’s Fantasia—Dukas was a central figure of the French musical Renaissance. Known for his fierce perfectionism, he famously destroyed the majority of his own manuscripts, leaving behind a small but flawless catalog of masterpieces, including the opera Ariane et Barbe-bleue and the exquisite ballet La Péri.

Hans Zimmer (1957) is an Academy Award and Grammy winning composer widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s most innovative, influential, and prolific musical talents. With a career spanning over four decades, Zimmer has scored more than 500 projects, which have collectively grossed over $30 billion at the worldwide box office. Renowned for his distinct ability to seamlessly integrate electronic sound design with traditional orchestral arrangements, his legendary filmography includes The Lion King, Gladiator, The Dark Knight trilogy, Inception, Interstellar, and the Dune series. Beyond his cinematic masterworks, Zimmer has redefined how film music is experienced globally, selling out arenas worldwide as a touring rock-star-composer with his groundbreaking live arena productions.

Continuing its tradition of concluding each concert with a patriotic audience sing-along, the Michigan City Municipal Band will close with America the Beautiful arr. by Warren Barker

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.

The sixth concert of the 158th season of the Michigan City Municipal Band (MCMB) will be held Thursday, July 9, 7:30pm, at the Guy Foreman Amphitheater in Washington Park. The concert is titled “Flight of Fancy”. We will be featuring guest vocalist; Michelle Howisen, Choral Director from Michigan City High School.

The July 9 concert repertoire will be selected from the following compositions:

Midway March by John Williams, arr. by John Moss
Selections from Mary Poppins arr. by Ted Ricketts
Afterburn: Relaunch by Randall D. Standridge
Over the Rainbow arr. by Warren Barker featuring Michelle Howisen
Star Dust arr. by Warren Barker featuring Michelle Howisen
The Mandalorian barr. by Paul Murtha
Goodnight Moon arr. by Michael Markowski
Selections from UP arr. by Michael Brown
Among the Clouds by Brian Balmages

Warren Barker (1923–2006) was a highly distinguished American composer, arranger, and conductor whose prolific career spanned Hollywood’s golden era of entertainment and the classical wind band stage. A master orchestrator, Barker spent over two decades in television and film, most notably serving as the longtime composer and conductor for the iconic 1960s sitcom Bewitched, where he created the show’s signature musical style, and contributing to major film scores including the Oscar-winning Hello, Dolly!.

In the latter half of his career, Barker channeled his commercial mastery into wind literature, becoming one of the most widely performed concert band composers in the world. His sophisticated original works and arrangements earned him prestigious commissions from elite ensembles worldwide, including the United States Air Force Band, the Royal Australian Navy Band, and the Norwegian Army Staff Band.

Michelle Howisen is the choir director at Michigan City High School, where she has held the position for the past thirteen years. Prior to teaching in Michigan City, she was the choir director at Marian Catholic High School in Chicago Heights, Illinois. She received her Bachelor’s degree from DePauw University in 2005, majoring in K-12 vocal and general music education. In 2010, she obtained her Master’s Degree in Vocal Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College. Her students have earned gold ratings at the district and state levels for the ISSMA Solo and Ensemble competitions. Her choirs have also received gold ratings at the ISSMA Organizational contests. The Michigan City High School choirs received the ISSMA All Choir Award for the first time in school history for the 2025-2026 school year under her direction. She would like to thank her husband, Harry, three beautiful children; Elizabeth, Luke, and Joseph, and her parents for their continuous love and support.

Continuing its tradition of concluding each concert with a patriotic audience sing-along, the Michigan City Municipal Band will close with My America arr. by Paul Murtha

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.

The fifth concert of the 158th season of the Michigan City Municipal Band (MCMB) will be held Thursday, July 2, 7:30pm, at the Guy Foreman Amphitheater in Washington Park.  The concert theme is titled “America 250 – A Celebration”.

The July 2 concert repertoire will be selected from the following compositions:

Torch of Liberty March by Karl L. King, arr. by James Swearingen

Discovery 1492 An Historic Suite for Band by Robert W. Smith

On an American Spiritual by David R. Holsinger

SATCHMO! A Tribute to Louis Armstrong arr. by Ted Ricketts

Shenandoah arr. byFrank Ticheli

American Flourish by Robert W. Smith

Hoe Down from Rodeo by Aaron Copland, arr. by John Moss

Robert W. Smith (1958–2023) was an internationally renowned American composer, conductor, arranger, and educator. A graduate of Troy State University and the University of Miami, his sweeping, programmatic music made him one of the most frequently performed wind band composers in history. An active member of the American Bandmasters Association and a lifelong advocate for school music programs, his compositions remain global standards performed everywhere from middle school cafeterias to the world’s premier concert halls.

David R. Holsinger (b. 1945) is an award-winning American composer and conductor whose music is performed by wind bands, orchestras, and choirs across the globe. A graduate of Central Methodist University, Central Missouri State University, and the University of Kansas, Holsinger is a pioneer of twentieth-century wind literature, celebrated for his pioneering use of driving cross-rhythms, shifting meters, and emotional storytelling. He resides in Cleveland, Tennessee, where he continues to compose new commissions for ensembles of all proficiency levels.

Continuing its tradition of concluding each concert with a patriotic audience sing-along, the Michigan City Municipal Band will close with America, the Beautiful  arr. by Carmen Dragon

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.

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.

The seventh concert of the 154th season of the Michigan City Municipal (MCMB) will be held on Thursday, July 21, 7:30p, at the Guy F. Foreman Bicentennial Amphitheater in Washington Park. The band plays a variety of music designed to entertain audience members of all ages. All concerts are free and everyone is welcome. Jeffrey Scott Doebler is the conductor for MCMB and Quincy Ford is the assistant conductor. Dr. Doebler serves as director of music education at Valparaiso University. Mr. Ford, principal saxophone in the MCMB, is retired director of bands and music department chairperson at Michigan City High School. Quincy Ford will lead the band this week.

The July 21 concert repertoire will include:

El Capitan by John Philip Sousa
Moorside March by Gustav Holst arr. Gordon Jacob
Rhapsody on a French Hymn by David Gorham
Dry Your Tears, Afrika by John Williams arr. Paul Lavender
Slippery Joe (Trombone Trio w/band) by Joe Bennett arr. Art Dedrick
The Sound of Music by Rogers and Hammerstein arr. Robert R. Bennett
Themes Like Old Times arr. Warren Barker
Danger Zone by Moroder & Whitlock arr. Michael Story
March “the Southerner” by Russell Alexander arr. Glenn Cliff Bainum
This Land Is Your Land by Woody Guthrie arr. John Warrington

Our tradition of inviting the audience to sing at the beginning and ending of each concert will continue. After the opening fanfare, the audience will sing along on the Star-Spangled Banner. Each concert ends with a familiar patriotic song for the audience to sing. The lyrics to each song are posted on the MCMB’s Facebook page and can be accessed on your smartphone.

The MCMB 154th season consists of ten free Thursday concerts, ending August 11. All concerts begin at 7:30p and last about an hour. Parking is available in the lots closest to the amphitheater, as well as the Michigan City Senior Center. Entrance to the park is free with a Michigan City Park sticker, otherwise there is a small parking fee.

Rick Carlson, principal trumpet for MCMB, will be the announcer.