Ron Keller was the band director at our children’s junior high school when we moved to Naperville 31 years ago. His great grandfather was a member of the original band. Ron began playing with the band in 1951 and became the director in 1966. He’s been the director of the NMB for 42 years.
The Fourth of July is always the most popular concert of the summer. Thousands of people bring their kids, their folding chairs, and their dinner. Those who are serious concert goers fill the benches. Teenagers and families with children spread blankets on the lawn at the back where kids can run around, play on the playground equipment, and babies can fuss without anyone being bothered.
The highlight of the Fourth of July concert is the 1812 Overature. It is more than exciting to be a participant in that experience. There are canons shooting off rounds, the bells from the four churches on the neighboring corners are ringing their bells, all somehow synchronized perfectly with the band. Hats off to the NMB for another outstanding performance! What a great start to the Fourth of July weekend!
3 comments:
Woah. The Bandshell has changed! That's what it was called, right? It used to be more of a shell shape and light blue, right? It's been too long.
I remember going to that concert. I think YNS may have even had a fund raising booth there that I helped with.
Going to the bandshell concert is a part of my childhood memories. What a great community service. When I think back, I can hardly believe that you and Dad just let us kids run around with thousands of other people we didn't know. It's amazing that none of us got taken or whatever. Great memories.
An American heartland scene reminiscent of The Music Man or some other lavish Hollywood production, recalling a peaceful time when parents didn't have to worry about someone taking their kids.
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