"Something for everybody at the John E. N. Howard Band Shell"

The concert begins with a Sousa march entitled "Fairest of the Fair." Sousa once remarked "A horse, a dog, a gun, a girl and music on the side. That is my idea of heaven." Many of his march titles imply his obvious appreciation of the fairer sex. This title was inspired by a pretty girl who worked at the annual Boston Food Fair. Even though Sousa never met this girl, his memory of her inspired this title when he was preparing a new march for the food fair in 1908. The work is one of his most melodic and best-written marches. Next the band brings forward from its trombone section Drew Kaptur, to guest conduct his own composition "Summer Images of South Haven–Sunrise on the Pier).

DREW KAPTUR, a South Haven resident is a native of Detroit where he free-lanced as a trombonist and arranger during the 1970s. He received his Bachelor's of Music degree in theory and composition from Michigan State University in 1979. He has served as Director of Bands at Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac and as Minister of Music at two South Haven churches. He also served as a substitute director of bands and orchestras in the South Haven and Bangor public school systems. He has been a private brass instructor, musician and free-lance arranger in the Southwest Michigan area for the past 22 years. Presently, he is employed full time with the Lynne Farmer Agency of State Farm Insurance in Bangor. Drew has been a regular and substitute trombonist for the St. Joseph Municipal Band for the past 21 years. Drew and his wife, Sheryl, have two sons, Troy and Wade who are both musicians in the South Haven Schools band program.

Next in the program the band features Alan Mitchell, also of the trombone section to guest conduct "Hanover Festival" by Phillip Sparkes, and "Whirr, Whirr, Whirr," by Ralph Hultgren.

ALAN MITCHELL is an Assistant Professor of Music at Andrews University. His teaching responsibilities include the Wind Symphony and music education courses for the Bachelor’s and M. M. in Music Education degrees. His performance organizations have performed throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. Mr. Mitchell has also served as clinician, guest conductor, and adjudicator throughout the United Sates. Prior to coming to Andrews University, he taught at Auburn Adventist Academy, Washington; Platte Valley Academy, Nebraska; John North High school, California; and in the Fountain Valley Elementary school District, California. Mr. Mitchell holds both a B.A. and M.A. degrees in music from California State University at Long Beach. He is currently pursuing an D.M.A. degree in Wind Conducting/Music Education at the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music. His major conducting professors were Eugene Corporon and Mallory Thompson

The program continues with the special group entertainment performed by Carol Kaye’s Dixieland Band. Carol Stelter, member of the trumpet section of the Municipal Band is the coordinator for the group. Other members of the group are: Kaye Rowe, Clarinet; Wes Speak, Tenor Sax; Ed Bagatini, Trombone; John Norman, Tuba; Bob Pendl, Banjo; Vern Cornwall, Guitar; Mark Nemeth, Piano; Jenny Yuhasz, Drums. Dixieland music is about the happiest type of music there is. When one experiences this type of music there is. When one experiences this type of music, one often envisions Mardi Gras, parties, picnics and balloons. The group has opened the musical festivities as an introduction to the Venetian Festivals opening night big band dance at the Whitcomb. Carol & Kaye’s Dixieland band has been in existence since the 50's, and the musicians share their excitement for this type of music by the sprit with which they play it.

The concert continues by featuring its guest vocalist for this concert, Michelle Bythrow, who returns to sing selections from ‘Carousel.’

MICHELLE BYTHROW was born and raised in Michiana, went on to study music at Indiana University, then toured with music missions across the US, into Canada, and finally to Greenland. She was married to Brian Bythrow in 1991 and moved to California where she began professional singing via the Sacramento Opera Company. Michelle sang in professional musical theater in Colorado and also began working in television commercials, film, print work, and studio back-up vocals. Today, she resides, with her husband and three children (Christy Rose, Cody, and Cora), in Granger, Indiana. She is a stay-home Mom and continues doing film/TV work, print work as well as radio voice-overs. She is working on writing children's books and writing songs. Michelle says, "A large amount of my singing is devoted to Granger Community Church, where excellence is given to God and given to others searching for outstanding integrity in a "church" atmosphere."

The band concludes the September 1 concerts by performing a request "Bandology," by Glenn Osser. This was one of the favorite festive sounding marches of the former director of the band, John E. N. Howard.