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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Thursday, June 4, 2009 9:11 PM CDT
Charleston Community Band expects full house for concert series opener

By ROB STROUD, Staff Writer
rstroud@jg-tc.com

CHARLESTON — More than 50 musicians of all ages are scheduled to take the stage tonight as the Charleston Community Band starts its 32nd summer concert season.

The community band is set to perform at 7:30 p.m. every Thursday through mid-July at the Kiwanis Park amphitheater. Entry to all of the band’s concerts is free.

Band Director John Daum said more than 50 musicians turned out for the group’s first two practices of the season, including a surprisingly large number of French horn, saxophone, trombone and trumpet players, he noted.

“We are going to have a house full,” said Daum, adding he is still looking for some additional clarinet players to fill out the band’s lineup.

The community band is open to musicians from throughout the area, ranging in age from elementary school band members to retirees. Interested musicians are welcome to attend the band’s regular practices at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday each week in the Charleston Middle School band room.

Examples of the types of music that the band plays throughout its season can be seen in the song list for tonight’s concert.

That list includes the “Liberty Bell,” “Under the Double Eagle,” and “Salute to the Colors” marches, as well as “America the Beautiful,” “Showboat” excerpts, “Boogie Woogie,” “American Folk Rhapsody,” “Broadway Overture,” “A Childhood Hymn,” and “Tenderly.” Every one of the band’s concerts begins with the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

Daum said the band is blessed to have so many talented musicians in the area, including those from Eastern Illinois University, and is fortunate to have a great concert venue at the amphitheater. The covered stage faces tiered seating that has been carved into the hillside at Kiwanis Park.

Concert-goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets with them for the shows. Parking is available within Kiwanis Park and along adjacent Harrison Avenue.

The community band also performs every year in Charleston’s Fourth of July parade while riding on the back of a flatbed trailer.

Contact Rob Stroud at rstroud@jg-tc.com or 238-6861.

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kamfong wrote on Jun 4, 2009 7:45 AM:

" It's nice to see a bit of positive stuff happening in the community one-n-awhile. "