Toes continued tapping to the close of Community band season

MT. PLEASANT — Despite the ominous presence of storm clouds, the last concert in the Community Band summer series kept community member’s toes tapping Thursday evening in the safety of Calvary Baptist Church’s Gymnasium.

The crowd was quieter than normal as children were not running around, fathers and sons were not tossing footballs, and the regular extra noises of motors and blow horns were notably absent.

The band opened with “United Nations March” by Karl L. King then “Woodland Hills” by Ed

Community Band Director Adam Creager revisited the popular Jurassic Park theme song along with Schindler’s List’s theme song, and “Raiders March” by John Williams.

A fitting selection of “Clouds” by Anne McGinty was introduce by Creager as jokingly being the reason the concert had been moved inside.

“I’m afraid I might have jinxed tonight by picking this clouds piece,” Creager said.

The piece started soft with woodwinds but accumulated with loud percussion representing stormy rain.

Considering the general feeling of Americana produced by the community band events it was only fitting for the band to also perform three songs of colonial America.

The first was instantly recognizable as the childhood classic “Yankee Doodle.”

The last concert of the season wrapped with some toe tapping Dixieland and blues music which showcased talented brass sections.

Keeping with tradition, the final song selections came from The Music Man, which embodies the Norman Rockwell vibes described by Arts IMPACT board member Ed Kopra.

Creager thanked the community, the P.E.O, Arts IMPACT, Mt. Pleasant School districts, band members, and Calvary Church among many others for their part in creating another successful community band season.

The classic Seventy-Six Trombones had a majority of toes tapping as another year of community tradition came to an end until next summer.

In true Midwestern hospitality, Creager left the community with these closing remarks, “Thank you, there’s pie yet.”

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com