Municipal Band presents last concert of summer season

(Sentinel photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) Members of the Le Mars Municipal Band double reed section for 2009 are (from left) -- Rick Lacy and Karin Swanson. Not pictured are Heidi Venaas (oboe); Rachel Meredith (oboe) and Adam Curry (bassoon). [Click to enlarge]

The Le Mars Municipal Band will present its sixth and final concert of the summer season 8 p.m. Wednesday at Foster Park.

The band is directed by conductor Jerry Bertrand, and the Rev. Gary Landsness serves as concert announcer.

The band will open the concert with "Folk Song Suite" by the English composer Ralph Vaughn Williams. The three movements in the suite are March - "Seventeen Come Sunday," Intermezzo - "My Bonnie Boy," and March - "Folk Songs from Somerset."

(Sentinel photo by Beverly Van Buskirk) Sue Ashenfelter presents Le Mars Municipal Band director Jerry Bertrand with "Emblem of Freedom" and "Robinson's Grand Entree March," two marches by Iowa's own Karl L. King. King directed the municipal band in Sue's hometown, Fort Dodge, Iowa, for more than 50 years. Sue was a member of the band while King still directed it. She presented the marches to the Le Mars Municipal Band in memory of her brother, John Crosby, who was a fan of Karl King and his music. The Le Mars Municipal Band performed "Emblem of Freedom" at its first concert this summer and will perform "Robinson's Grand Entree March" at its final concert of the summer. [Click to enlarge]

Featured soloist for this concert will be Dr. David Kassler on euphonium. A native of Chariton, Kassler earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Iowa, his master's degree from the University of Minnesota, and his doctorate of musical arts from the University of Miami - Florida.

He has appeared as a euphonium, trombone, and tuba solo artist on numerous university campuses throughout the United States.

In the spring of 2009 Kassler appeared in solo recitals at the Federal University of Brazil in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Kassler's most recent university affiliations include an interim position as an assistant professor at Fort Hays State University where his duties included a low brass studio and conducting the brass choir and symphonic band.

Kassler will perform "Fantasia di Concerto" subtitled "Sounds from the Riviera" by Edoardo Boccalari.

The band will continue the concert with "The Veterans' March" by Gabriel Pares. The band will then perform "The Hagerstown Fifers" by Warren Barker.

Next on the concert will be a medley from the musical "State Fair" by Rodgers and Hammerstein. This medley includes "Our State Fair," "Willing and Eager," "It's a Grand Night for Singing," "This Isn't Heaven," "It's the Little Things in Texas," and "It Might as Well Be Spring."

The band will then play "The Golden Ear," a paso doble by Mariano San Miguel. This will be followed by "New York: 1927" by Warren Barker.

The band will next play "Robinson's Grand Entree March" by Iowa's Karl L. King. This music was presented to the Le Mars Municipal 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 conclude the concert with "Good Night," the closing number from "The Lawrence Welk Show."

Admission to the concert is free. Concertgoers are encouraged to bring their blankets and lawn chairs.

Refreshments at this concert will be provided by the Floyd Valley Hospital Community Action Team.

The band is currently accepting donations to fund the 2010 summer season. The City of Le Mars will match up to $7,500 in donations to the band.

An average concert costs $1,700. The number of concerts for the summer of 2010 will depend upon the amount of donations received plus the city match.

At this time, with the donations and matching funds, the band can plan on just three concerts for 2010.

Donations may be given to director Jerry Bertrand, announcer Rev. Gary Landsness, or any band member. Donations may also be mailed to band treasurer Jim Bogenrief, 29041 270th St., Merrill Iowa 51038.