July 1, 2012

The Karl L. King Municipal Band of Fort Dodge celebrated the July 4th holiday a little early with a special patriotic concert on Sunday evening, July 1.

This concert featured patriotic selections to celebrate the Independence Day holiday.  Marches on the evening program included Salute To The Colors by Karl L. King and Bert Anthony, former conductor W.B. Green’s unpublished march Operation Freedom, and J.J. Richards’ up-tempo Emblem of Unity.  One of Karl L. King’s famous galops, Rough Riders, was heard during this one-hour concert as well.

The concert opened with an exciting new piece, An American Fanfare, by Rick Kirby, based on “My Country ‘Tis Of Thee”.  Also featured was an overture, Land of Liberty, written 100 years ago by Karl King’s close friend C.L. Barnhouse of Oskaloosa IA, along with Leroy Anderson’s classic The Phantom Regiment, and the stirring Carmen Dragon arrangement of America The Beautiful.

On the lighter side was a medley of songs made popular by that great bandleader and performer during World War II with A Tribute to Glenn Miller.

A trumpet trio performed one of the most popular and requested selections by the King Band, Bugler’s Holiday by Leroy Anderson.  Trio members included Tim Miller, Humboldt; David Swaroff, Dayton; and Harlan VandeBerg, Fort Dodge.  Recognition was made of members from our military with the playing of the Armed Forces Salute.

A special tribute was given to the American soldier with the performance of Duty, Honor, Country, narrated by Paul Bloomquist, director of bands at Iowa Central Community College.

Closing this concert, The Stars and Stripes Forever by John Philip Sousa was heard.  The program ended with our national anthem, The Star-Spangled Banner.