June 14

The second concert of the summer season was the June 14 Flag Day program that featured Robert Patton from Gowrie, popular baritone vocalist.

Mr. Patton attended the University of Northern Iowa, then joined the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants in Washington, D.C. During his twenty years in the military, Patton soloed with the National Symphony and the Boston and Cincinnati Pops Orchestras.  He also performed with the Washington Civic, Baltimore, Wolf Trap, Northern Virginia and Annapolis opera companies. In 1991 Bob returned to Gowrie, Iowa, and became editor and publisher of The Gowrie News.  He is the fourth generation owner of a 107 year-old family business.

Patton performed The Pledge of Allegiance, a medley of  well-known songs titled George M. Cohan Patriotic Fantasy, the stirring Battle Hymn of the Republic, and the inspiring song, America, The Beautiful with the band.

Persons attending this Sunday’s special concert were encouraged to bring small American flags to wave at appropriate times during the hour-long concert.  In addition, George Mack, a Jolley area resident, provided flags that have been donated by local merchants.

This concert featured other patriotic selections to celebrate the Flag Day holiday.  Marches on the evening program included Emblem of Freedom by Karl L. King, R. B. Hall’s Officer Of The Day, Karl King’s arrangement of Salute To The Colors.  This concert also included Broad Stripes and Bright Stars, a fantasy/overture based on four songs that came from the earliest years of the United States, along with highlights from the popular Broadway musical, South Pacific, which was set during World War II.

A special tribute made to the members of our military was the playing of the Armed Forces Salute.  Veterans and family of veterans were invited to stand when the band performed the service song meaningful to them.

The piccolo solo was highlighted during the playing of John Philip Sousa’s The Stars and Stripes Forever.  In addition, the trumpet and trombone sections came forward for the climax of the piece.