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View concert photos from previous seasons
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KARL KING BAND CELEBRATES
AMERICA’S 250th BIRTHDAY:
The
Sunday evening, July 5th concert by the Karl L. King Municipal Band will
celebrate America’s 250 th birthday at the Karl L. King Band Shell in Oleson
Park, located in the southeastern part of the City of Fort Dodge.
Concert time is 7:30 pm. Coming just a day after the July 4th Independence
Day holiday, it promises to be a perfect way to celebrate a long weekend
of once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Conductor Dan Cassady has
chosen the perfect blend of musical selections to highlight America’s musical
history through the years. Paul Bloomquist will continue to
announce each selection.
Marches
have always been an enjoyable part of these concerts since the 1870s, when
soldiers returning home to Fort Dodge got together to continue playing
music. Opening the concert will be John Philip Sousa’s 1900
march, Hail to the Spirit of Liberty, followed by one of 18-year
old Karl King’s earliest published marches in 1909, Sons of Veterans.
Aaron Copland, often referred
to as the “dean of American composers”, made significant contributions
to the American music scene especially during the 1930s and 1940s.
His many ballet suites will be represented by Excerpts from Appalachian
Spring, based on the traditional Shaker hymn, Simple Gifts.
John Williams, at age 94 is considered
one of America’s greatest living composers. Over his seven-decade
career, he has composed Olympic theme songs along with many of the best-known
scores in film history from Jaws, E.T., Stars Wars,
Raiders
of the Lost Ark, Harry Potter and many more to the current film
in theaters now, Disclosure Day. This concert will feature
two of his compositions, Hymn to the Fallen from the movie Saving
Private Ryan and the Midway March from the movie
1941.
An audience favorite each summer
is Bugler’s Holiday by Leroy Anderson, one of America’s great masters
of light orchestral music. Much of Anderson’s music was premiered
by the Boston Pops Orchestra with Arthur Fiedler conducting.
Our trumpet trio, Tim Miller from Humboldt, David Swaroff from Belmond,
and Amaia Walsh from Fort Dodge, will delight the audience with their performance
of this classic.
Several patriotic songs are included
on this tribute concert as well. Andrew Glover’s arrangement
of God Shed His Grace on Thee, based on America, the Beautiful
will stir the heartstrings of each audience member. The
inspiring hymn from the 1850s, Battle Hymn of the Republic, will
be familiar to all. The Armed Forces Salute will honor
our military, past and present, who were willing to defend those freedoms
we all enjoy daily.
This concert will close in the
only way possible with Sousa’s best-known march, The Stars and Stripes
Forever, followed by our National Anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.
There is no admission charge for these concerts, courtesy of the financial
support from the City of Fort Dodge. Audience members are reminded
to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets, since no public seating is
provided. Those attending are encouraged to wear their red,
white and blue, and may bring small American flags to wave at appropriate
times during the evening.
Prior
to the concert’s start, the Southeast Valley School Fine Arts Boosters
will be providing ice cream and baked goodies for a free-will donation
to support their students’ activities. In case of inclement
weather, the concert may be delayed or even cancelled at the starting time.
Any announcements will be made on the band’s Facebook page.
Plan to be in attendance on Sunday
evening, July 5th, to show your enthusiastic support and patriotism to
celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
View some photos from the 2025
Scholarship
Concert.
View photos from the last concert
of conductor Jerrold Jimmerson
View the programs from the 2023
Concert Season
The Karl L. King Municipal Band of Fort Dodge is
seen during a practice session
before taking the stage.
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