DeKalb Municipal Band season underway

DeKALB – The DeKalb Municipal Band opened its 164th season this week at the Dee Palmer Band Shell in Hopkins Park, 1403 Sycamore Road.

Kirk Lundbeck, director of the band that is one of the oldest running municipal bands in the state, said new music added to the band’s library will be featured this season, along with some old favorites such as marches by John Phillip Sousa.

“We call them our workhorses, ones that the audience likes,” Lundbeck said.

Lundbeck said the season will feature three vocal soloists that haven’t performed with the band before: Gavin WIlson on July 17, Harrison Hintzche on Aug. 7 and Deanna Frances-Tausch on Aug. 21.

The season will feature the Star-Spangled Spectacular before scheduled fireworks July 4, a Broadway and silver-screen tribute, a children’s concert and “A Musical Trip Around the World,” which will feature the new music.

Lundbeck said some musicians within the band have come and gone and have been replaced with new ones this year, but the core musician group that has been in the band for years will continue on this season.

“That’s why our product is the way it is,” Lundbeck said.

The band's schedule is posted on its website and Facebook page, and some tunes can be seen on its YouTube channel. Lundbeck said he is looking forward to audience turnout and having a great time performing this season.

“It’s going to be an outstanding season,” Lundbeck said.