July 5

The Karl L. King Municipal Band of Fort Dodge performed a special concert to celebrate the Independence Day holiday. Conductor Jerrold P. Jimmerson insured a fun evening of music that was pure Americana.  Also involved in the evening’s program were Dan Cassady, assistant conductor, and Duane “Oley” Olson, the band’s announcer.

Chief Warrant Officer James Goodwin, Commanding Officer of the 34th Army Band of the Iowa National Guard stationed in Fairfield, was the special guest for the evening.

Mr. Goodwin's awards include the Iowa Meritorious Service Medal, two Iowa Commendation Awards, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal.  He is a graduate of the Army Bandmaster Warrant Officer Staff Course.  Mr. Goodwin has received the Governor's X Patch for being one of the five best riflemen in the State of Iowa.  He is also an expert on pistol.

Mr. Goodwin is also a composer and has written several compositions, including the Iowa National Guard March.  He and his family currently live in Runnells.  Mr. Goodwin conducted the King Band in J. J. Richards’ classic march, Emblem Of Unity, along with one of his own compositions that has a stirring narration, Veteran’s Day Tribute.

A Trumpet Trio will performed the popular Leroy Anderson selection, Bugler’s Holiday.  Trio members included Tim Miller from Humboldt, David Swaroff from Dayton, and Harlan Vande Berg from Fort Dodge.

Other well-known compositions included Morton Gould’s American Salute, highlights from the NBC television production Victory At Sea, John Philip Sousa’s Fugue On Yankee Doodle, and a medley of George M. Cohan favorites, Star-spangled Spectacular.

Of course, marches were an important part of the program.  They included Karl King’s Sons Of Veterans, and Henry Fillmore’s Americans We.  The galop for the evening was Karl King's famous Majestic.  America’s national march, Sousa's The Stars and Stripes Forever, provided the fitting climax of the evening.  Our National Anthem, The Star-spangled Banner closed the program.