June 12, 2011

The first concert of the summer season featured patriotic selections to celebrate the Flag Day holiday.  Marches on the evening program included Emblem of Freedom by Karl L. King, former conductor W. B. Green’s Flying With The Colors, and E. E. Bagley’s National Emblem.  The traditional Flag Day closer, The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa, was also heard.

Broad Stripes and Bright Stars, a fantasy/overture based on four songs from the earliest years of the United States, was performed, and The Blue and the Gray by Clare Grundman  was done in recognition of the 150th anniversary of the start of America’s Civil War.

A medley of songs made popular by the great clarinetist and bandleader Benny Goodman, entitled A Tribute to Benny Goodman and Irving Berlin’s Alexander’s Ragtime Band were two lighter songs on the program..

The playing of the Armed Forces Salute gave ecognition of those who had served in our military.  A special tribute was given to the American flag with the playing of Lest We Forget, narrated by Harlan VandeBerg from Fort Dodge.  Our national anthem, the Star-spangled Banner closed the concert.

June 19, 2011

A spicial program was planned for Father’s Day.  Two marches written by the band’s namesake, Karl L. King, were performed, King Henry and The Three Musketeers.  Other marches on the program were His Honor by Henry Fillmore and On The Mall by Edwin Franko Goldman.  In addition, one of Karl King’s famous aerial waltzes, June Twilight, were performed.

The evening’s classical offering was the overture to the opera, Raymond, by the French composer Ambrose Thomas.  Thomas attended the Paris Conservatory, and became one of the most successful French composers of his time.  This opera had its premier in Paris in June 1851.  The opera itself was a dismal failure, but the overture has become one of the most popular of the French opera works.

Also on the program was a medley of excerpts from some of the most famous songs written by Karl L. King, entitled Melody ala King.  Harry L Alford arranged this selection for the concert band.  The King Band played one of Fred Jewell’s famous circus galops, They’re Off, and a trombone novelty by Henry Fillmore, Boss Trombone. Friend Like Me, from the Walt Disney movie Aladdin, rounded out the concert program.