July 6, 2014

KING BAND performs the Independence Day Concert:

The Karl L. King Municipal Band, conducted by Jerrold P. Jimmerson, performed the annual Independence Day concert on Sunday evening, July 6. 

Conductor Jimmerson had said, "With July 4 being on Friday this year, I think people will be taking a long weekend break.  What a great way to wrap the holiday weekend than with a band concert of familiar patriotic music to celebrate our country's independence."

Before the concert started, the popular area Brass Quintet, Jive for Five, performed a pre-concert performance.

Group members include Tim Miller, Humboldt; David Swaroff, Dayton; Kathy Yoakam, from Humboldt; Dan Cassady, formerly from Fort Dodge and now living in North Liberty; and Paul Bloomquist, from Dayton. These musicians are members of the King Band, and they performed "The King Dances" along with a jazz-styled big band arrangement, "Glenn Miller Selection", during the concert with the band accompanying. View more photos of Jive For Five playing on July 6.

"The King Dances" was composed by former Fort Dodge resident Joseph Blaha.  Dr. Blaha graduated from St. Edmond High School in 1969, earned his bachelor (trombone) and master (composition) degrees from The University of Iowa, and received his doctorate in composition from the University of Oklahoma in 1991.  He is currently an associate professor of music and director of bands at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia. Blaha composes for a wide variety of instruments and a number of his compositions have been commissioned by universities, churches or other organizations.  Several of his works have aired on public radio and his music has been performed across the United States and in Europe and South America.  He served for five years as a trombonist in The United States Army Band, "Pershing's Own," Washinton D.C.   In 2002, Blaha was inducted into the Iowa Rock 'n Roll Music Association Hall of Fame.

DR. JOSEPH BLAHA

Joe attributes his musical successes to the family into which he was born and the community where he was raised. Every Thursday and Sunday evening during the summer, Joe and his parents would go to a park and listen to the Fort Dodge Municipal Band under the baton of Karl L. King. Joe, with his father, Jim, and his brother, Jimmy, performed together in the Fort Dodge Symphony. From 1967 to 1970, Joe was a proud baritone horn player in the Fort Dodge Municipal Band. Dr. Blaha considers it a great honor to have the Karl L. King perform his composition, "The King Dances".

This concert features several patriotic selections to celebrate the Independence Day holiday.  Marches on the evening program include "Salute to Camp Harrison" by Karl L. King, and John Philip Sousa’s "The Liberty Bell", along with the Karl King galop, "Rough Riders".  This concert will also include an exciting new piece, "American Flourish" which traces the musical history of the United States, along with a very moving new arrangement, "Within These Hallowed Halls".  On the lighter side will be George Gershwin's popular song, "Strike Up The Band".

Assistant Conductor Dr. David Klee directed the band in a medley of patriotic standards, appropriately titled, "The Fourth of July".

Closing this concert will be our national march, "The Stars and Stripes Forever" by John Philip Sousa.

Persons attending this Sunday’s concert were encouraged to bring small American flags to wave at appropriate times during the concert.

Thanks to Susan Swaroff for these photos.

The concert closed in the traditional way, with the playing of our National Anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."