Also included in each week of the 2004 Concert series will be an update of the donations for the half million dollar John E. N. Howard Band Shell Renovation project announced for this summer. This week’s donations will be read at the concert.

Director Dr. Donald Moely, announced the concert begins with ‘Symphonic Overture,’ by Charles Carter. Next the band introduces Leonard Meretta, former Director of Bands at Western Michigan University, who will guest conduct his own march "Men of Might."

LEONARD MERETTA was director of Western Michigan University Bands for 27 years. He was assistant band director and trumpet teacher at the U-M prior to his tenure at Western. Mr. Meretta's extensive professional playing and performance experiences have included touring the U.S. as trumpet soloist, numerous performances in bands conducted by Percy Grainger, Edwin Franko Goldman, Frank Simon, Erik Leidzen and William Revelli. He has guest-conducted the Goldman Band, US Army Band, high school, university and professional bands. Five of his marches have been published. He is a member of the American Bandmasters Association. Recently, the WMU Concert Bands performed a program with the title, "A Tribute to Leonard V. Meretta

The band turns to the music of Duke Ellington in a Sammy Nestiico arrangement of "An Ellington Festival." The band then features its entire flute section with "Flutes Four," by Arthur Frackenpohl. Flutes performing are Denall Miller of Sodus, Todd Gorman of St. Joseph, Charlotte Burch of Bridgman, Jan Street of Berrien Springs, and Nancy Pollyea of St. Joseph.

Next the special entertainment, The "Citadel Dancers," will perform. Their performance will demonstrate several different styles of dancing. The Citadel Dance Center (CDC) provides the dancers that are performing today. These members are the more advanced students of the CDC ranging in age from 11 to 18. The company performs at local venues such as the Venetian Festival, Berrien County Youth Fair, South Haven Arts Council Summer Program, Benton Harbor Children's Art Fair and the Twin Cities Fall Invitational Art Fair. Additionally the company has been asked to perform at art gallery opening shows and at pageants: They continue to grow more popular each year. The thrust of the company is to entertain, educate and to collaborate with other artists. Larry Schanker, an award winning local composer (originally from Chicago) has composed and played music for their winter recitals. The Citadel Dance Company recently performed with Gary Cooper, principal trombonist of the Municipal Band, and the Renaissance String Quartet at their spring concert on June 7, at Lakeshore High School Community Auditorium. The main dances for the company are choreographed by Eileen Cropley and Theresa Graziano, both established choreographers. CDC faculty and guest choreographers have also contributed to the repertoire which includes classical ballet, modern dance, tap and jazz dances.

The band continues with John Philip Sousa’s "The Invincible Eagle March" which is followed by a number featuring the tuba section of the band, "Tuba Tiger Rag," by James Ployhar. The work features tuba performers, Michael Shannon of Kalamazoo, and Bob Rusk of South Bend. The concert concludes with "Sterling Brass March" by James Barnes.

The hour long Municipal Band concerts at the John E. N. Howard band shell are held each Sunday at 3:30 & 7:30 p.m. and continue through Sunday, September 5 and conclude with the final set of concerts Monday, September 6, Labor Day.

Last updated on 06/28/2007