Transition Time - More concerts

We're in that transition time. It's the only time of the year when community band schedules get a bit messy! Some summer bands start in early June and go well into September. Others start at about the same time and finish in July, giving their members some of the summer for themselves. Still others don't have their first concert until July 4th, and then play until school starts. We're in that transition time!

So, some groups, like the Milwaukee American Legion Band, are shut down for the rest of the summer. Other groups, like the Racine Concert Band, are just getting going. And drum and bugle corps like Pioneer, will be going right through August. In any event, get out there and take in their performances. It's good fun, easy on gas and your wallet, and you'll have a great time.

If you live near Racine, take in the concert on July 13th at 7:30 PM at the Racine Zoo. It's free and fun featuring a xylophone soloist!

If Thursday the 17th is a better date for you, get to Atwater Park in Shorewood at 7 PM for the final performance of the Shorewood Concert Band for this season. Dr. Pat has quite the program in store.

In this concert, the trombone section is featured in Henry Fillmore's Lassus Trombone. The kids will like the variations on London Bridge by James Parcel. For the concert band aficionado, Dr. Pat has two works: the Vaughn Williams Flourish and the Holst Second Suite in F. Let me comment here that summer bands rarely play music of this difficulty, having only one rehearsal to put the entire program together. The fact that Dr. Pat is comfortable programming both pieces on the concert shows the level of musicianship within the group.

A few years ago, Dr. Pat introduced small groups to the Shorewood Concert Band series, and the practice has grown over the years. The last concert featured the Hornicopia Horn Quartet. This concert will feature a Clarinet Quartet.

Then, just to throw you a curve ball, Dr. Pat has programmed some rock (All You Get From Love is a Love Song). And she hinted that there might also be a famous Polka thrown in. Trust me, it doesn't get much better than this!

And all that in about an hour!

And I'll be there sitting in my green lawn chair. Stop by and say hi! (Not too many green lawn chairs there so far this season, so you won't talk to strangers!)