One score and two seasons ago...

...a small cadre of dedicated musicians approached then Loras College professor Brian Hughes and decided that Dubuque needed a community band, joining the ranks of Bettendorf, Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, and even Hampton. Fifteen people--nine of whom played clarinet--attended that first rehearsal on May 9, 1995. That first season could be called "we'll play when we have enough music to play." Still, the band managed three performances spread throughout the summer, premiering at the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens; afterward, the ensemble moved into Iowa's most beautiful outdoor concert site: the Eagle Point Park Bandshell. Except for an occasional rainout (ok, lots of them in the summer of 2008), that's been "home."

Along the line, that band--called the Tri-State Wind Symphony--added other area musical groups to play on its "off" weeks and the real summer series was born. The group also has "toured" several locales, including Bettendorf (3 times), Cascade, Sinsinawa Mound (twice) and a joint performance with Maquoketa's Timber City Band at the Iowa Municipal Band Festival in Boone. It's still always pleasant to play close to home, as we will be at our first concert of the 23rd Season, June 1 at 7:30 PM at Eagle Point Park.

Programs always consist of the old and the new, the borrowed and the blue. Our musical menu will include,

Karl L. King's Invictus, composed in honor of bandmaster Merle Evans. In a sad coincidence, Mr. Evans's band and the circus it represented--the Ringling Brothers-Barnum and Bailey Circus--just folded its tents for the last time on May 21. No more will we hear the call, "Ladies and gentlemen, children of all ages!"

A gorgeous and lyrical original work by Australian composer Brian Hogg entitled In Stillness.

Tahiti Trot, written by Dmitri Shostakovich. This score was the result of a bet with Russian conductor Nicholai Malko, who wagered that the composer could not create a fully orchestrated setting of Tea for Two in less than an hour. Shostakovich took 45 minutes!

A great medley of Hollywood themes arranged by Warren Barker and much, much more! Who knows? We might even play a little something by John Philip Sousa. You'll have to come and see (and hear!)

Will he show up?

We know that he'll be there...

Once again:

Tri-State Wind Symphony 23rd Season Opener
Thursday, June 1, 7:30 PM
Eagle Point Park Bandshell
Free with admission to the park ($1 per car, so fill the Buick up with all your friends!)

See you there!