Municipal Band presents Saturday night Ice Cream Days concert

(Sentinel photo by Amy Erickson) The Le Mars Municipal Band, pictured here at the 2009 Memorial Day service, will kick off their summer season with an Ice Cream Days concert at 7 p.m. Saturday in Foster Park. [Click to enlarge]

The Le Mars Municipal Band begins its 103rd season of summer concerts as part of Ice Cream Days Saturday, June 20, at Foster Park.

Concert time is 7 p.m., a change -- for this concert only -- from the usual 8 p.m. concert time. Admission is free.

Jerry Bertrand returns for his 22nd year as conductor of the band.

(Sentinel photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) Bassoonist Rick Lacy of Sioux City will be the featured soloist with the Le Mars Municipal Band Saturday evening in Foster Park. This is his fourth year performing with the band. [Click to enlarge]

He is currently the director of bands and assistant professor of music at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake.

The band will open the concert with "Emblem of Freedom," a march by Iowa's own Karl King. This piece of music was presented to the band by Sue Ashenfelter, longtime member of the band, in loving memory of her brother, John Crosby, who was a fan of Karl King and his music.

The band will then play "Dedicatory Overture" by Clifton Williams.

Featured soloist for this concert will be bassoonist Rick Lacy, of Sioux City.

Lacy has held the position of third bassoon/contrabassoon with the Sioux City Symphony Orchestra for 11 years and has played as principal with the Sioux City Municipal Band for 16 years. This is Lacy's fourth year with the Le Mars Municipal Band.

Lacy began his studies on bassoon in fifth grade and has played extensively ever since but chose to pursue a career as a software developer, earning a bachelor's of science degree in mathematics and computer science from Morningside College in Sioux City.

He currently works as a programmer for Great West Casualty Company in South Sioux City, Neb.

Lacy will perform "Hungarian Rondo" by Carl Maria von Weber.

The concert continues with "Ballad for Peace" written in 1995 by Frank Erickson. Next on the program will be "Symbol of Honor," a march written in 1939 by Ted Mesang.

The band will then play a medley of tunes from "Porgy and Bess," an opera with music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin. This medley includes "Summertime," "I've Got Plenty o' Nuttin'," "Strawberries" and "It Ain't Necessarily So."

Next on the program will be music from the 1990 epic film "Dances With Wolves."

The band will then play "Broadway Spectacular," a medley of memorable songs from musicals. This medley includes "Hello, Dolly," "What I Did for Love," "Sunrise, Sunset," "Tomorrow" and "Mame."

The band will conclude the concert with "Tenth Regiment March" written in 1897 by R. B. Hall.

Refreshments at this concert will be ice cream treats sold by the Kiwanis/Aktion Club.

This concert is being co-sponsored by the City of Le Mars and Wells' Blue Bunny Quality Dairy Foods.

Concertgoers are encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets.

Announcer for the concert is the Rev. Gary Landsness.

The band is already looking toward the 2010 concert season and is asking for donations. The City of Le Mars will match up to $7,500 in donations to the band. Donations may be given to Bertrand, Landsness or any band member.