By Roger Boughton, Guest Column

Summer reminds me of picnics in the park, band concerts at the Bandshell Community Park, hot dogs on the grill, parades and fireworks on the Fourth of July.

 

Wednesdays at promptly 7 p.m. on warm June summer evenings; the community of Austin will gather with their lawn chairs or blankets at the band shell and listen to great music. The crowd will become quite just after 7 p.m. Across the wide open span of grass there will be lawn chairs, blankets, food items, ice cream, dogs on leashes and children playing. The flag pole in front of the stage with the summer breeze blowing will unfurl the American flag for all to view and the music will begin.

Brian Koser, the maestro, will lift his baton and the music will begin to flow. As the sun begins to dip below the roof tops our souls will be nourished, enriched and uplifted by listening to the “Star Spangled Banner.” There will also be wonderful medleys like “The Chronicles of Narnia” and “Where Eagles Soar” to soften the night air along with majestic music like the march “Tally-Ho” played with deep emotion by the band. Brian Koser, the conductor, will take us through time and introduce us to the music of the great movie themes and at the same moment celebrate the summer by playing the “Glory of the Sea.” A couple of songs within the musical selections will include highlights from “Kiss Me Kate.” The tempo will increase a bit and get our feet to tapping with highlights from “Jersey Boys.” “The Phantom of the Opera” Medley will ensure that the evening is young with more music to come.

These special summer evenings of great music at Bandshell Community Park will be provided by nearly 50 area musicians. They have been practicing every Tuesday evening since April. They come from all walks of life and represent ages from 15 into the late 70s. Their skill levels are as varied as their ages and hair color. However, they all have one thing in common — they love to play great band music. Free summer concerts take place at Bandshell Community Park at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays on June 10, 24, July 8 and at 8:30 p.m. on Friday, July 3 for Freedom Fest. On Wednesdays June 10, June 24 and July 8 free ice cream will be provided to the first 100 members of the audience and everyone loves ice cream. Once the ice cream is gone it is gone.The summer band concert season will accelerate on July 3rd when the Community Band performs a concert at 8:30 p.m. at Bandshell Community Park during Freedom Fest. The field of flags will also be flown during Freedom Fest and will be on display July 3 during the concert to honor veterans. July 4 the Community Band participates in the July 4 parade at 11 a.m. Thanks to the support by community leaders small town America at its best is on display. The summer band concerts are partially sponsored by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern MN Arts Council, the Austin Area Foundation and the city of Austin City Council. In-kind contributions are provided by the Austin Public Schools and the Austin Park and Recreation Department. The Worlein Funeral Home and the Guy Family Dentistry each assist in sponsoring an evening of music.