Mount Prospect Community Band celebrates its 40th season
The Mount Prospect Community Band, a program of the Mount Prospect Park District, will roll out the red carpet in celebration of its 40th anniversary season.
New Music Director Monty Adams promises a summer series filled with a lively balance of opera overtures, circus screamers, spectacular marches, musical medleys, popular soloists and other dazzling band classics.
The Monday night series begins June 13 and runs through July 25, with no concert on July 4. Concerts are free and begin at 7:30 p.m. at the Veterans Memorial Bandshell at 411 S. Maple St. in Mount Prospect. Concessions are available.
Opening night features guest master of ceremonies Jonathan Lehrer and selections that include "Liberty Bell," "Bugler's Holiday," "The Circus Bee" with audience conductors and "West Side Story." June 20 features music of Spain with guest soloists and selections including "Xabia," "Lady of Spain," "Carmen" and "Man of La Mancha."
On June 27, the guest master of ceremonies is Tim Kazurinsky, a "Saturday Night Live" alum, and the soprano soloist is Kelsey Betzelberger. The concert, entitled "That's not Comedy, That's Shtick," includes the "Poet and Peasant Overture," "Entry of the Gladiators," "March of the Steel Men" and "Sandpaper Ballet."
Rounding out the summer season are the Prospect Pops Parade on July 11, A Night at the Opera on July 18 and Christmas in July on July 25. Soloist Amy Keipert will be featured at the July 11 and 25 concerts.
"We are very excited to welcome Monty Adams as he leads the Community Band in a wonderful new direction and look forward to a summer of great music at the beautiful Veteran's Memorial Bandshell," said the district's executive director, Greg Kuhs.
Adams, who has 39 years of professional experience, also is conductor and music director of the Lakeside Flutes and the Ridgeville Band of Evanston, where he's known for his vibrant programming and high musical standards. Adams was the principal flutist and soloist with the U.S. Air Force Band and Orchestra in Washington, D.C., and has performed as a regular member of several Chicago Symphony chamber ensembles for more than 20 years.
The band welcomes volunteers. There are no auditions for membership, but participants should be 18 or older and have prior band experience. For information, contact madams@mppd.org or Cultural Arts Manager Ann Zimmerman at (847) 640-1000.