On Wednesday, June 14th, the Kokomo Park Band will celebrate Flag Day with “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” sponsored by Community First Bank and the CFB Journey Club. This is also the annual Side-by-Side program in which nearly 20 of the area’s top high school musicians will perform alongside the seasoned professionals of the KPB. The concert will feature vocalist Sally Duke and the KPB Trumpet Trio. The free concert begins at 7:30 in Highland Park. This program is part of the weekly KPB Summer Concert Series hosted by the Kokomo Parks Department with support from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Foundation, the Center Township Trustee, Community Foundation of Howard County and The Arts Federation in cooperation with the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.
The Side-by-Side project is an annual event in which students are selected to participate based on musical achievements such as performing a Group I level solo at ISSMA State Contest. Students are nominated and sponsored by KPB musicians. This year’s Side by Side selectees include Alli DeYoung on flute; Abigayle Dunnuck, Isabelle Droll and Jackson Tayor on clarinet; Porter Stone on bassoon; Carly Stepler, Ethan Dale and Hazen Kinslow on saxophone; Maxwell Johnson and Jesse Morgan on trumpet; Jackson Edwards, Nathan Bedoy and Duncan Carter on French horn; Luke Spencer on trombone; Carissa Perry on euphonium; Zachary Shelby on tuba; and Grayson Byrn and Aubry Madden on percussion.
Sally Duke will sing “God Bless America” by Irving Berlin as arranged by John Moss. As a Christian vocalist, She has performed on nine recordings, and given many concerts across the United States and abroad. Sally resides in Greentown and manages Community First’s travel program and is celebrating her 27th year as a travel escort. She has traveled with groups to 50 states and 38 countries. Her goal is to visit 100 countries before she turns 100. Her gospel music is available for free download at www.sallyduke.com.
“Buglers Holiday” by Leroy Anderson will be performed on trumpet by three area band directors: Keith Whitford who recently retired from Western; Jeremy Snyder who is celebrating 20 years at Northwestern; and Joel Matthews who served at Eastern for 14 years and currently teaches at Greenwood.
Other selections include “Festival Overture on the American National Air” by Dudley Buck; “Steadfast Leadership March,” by Dwayne Milburn; “Our Own Red, White and Blue” by Henry Fillmore; “Nathan Hale Trilogy,” by James Curnow; “Broad Stripes and Bright Stars,” by Robert Longfield; “Old Glory Triumphant” by Charles Double; “Salute to the Patriots” by James Ployhar;
“Absolutely Sousa,” by Gary Ziek; and “You're A Grand Old Flag,” arranged by Paul Jennings.
Every effort is made to perform outdoors, but in the event of inclement weather the concert will move to the Kokomo High School Auditorium. The decision to move inside is generally not made until after 4 PM with announcements posted on Facebook. There will also be a recorded announcement at 765-319-8554 if the location is changed.
The majority of the band's funding depends on donations from individuals. Contributions should be sent to Kokomo Park Band; PO Box 6039; Kokomo, IN 46904-6039. More information can be found on Facebook and on the band's website www.kokomoparkband.org.