FDL Symphonic Band Presents 41st Annual Pops Concert Tonight

The Fond du Lac Symphonic Band will present its 41st annual Pops Concert on Saturday, April 23, at 7:00 p.m.  at the FdL High School Performing Arts Center, 801 Campus Drive.

The performance is under the direction of Music Director Dale Shipe and Associate Conductor Jill Wagner.

The concert will feature guest artists, Kyle Megna and the Monsoons, in the premiere performance of “I Never Can Say No” written at the Symphonic Band’s request for the Band and the Monsoons by noted Wis-consin composer John Harmon.

Based in the Fox Valley, Kyle Megna and the Monsoons were named the 2017 and 2018 Wisconsin Area Music Industry (WAMI) Alternative Rock/Rock Artist of the year and 2018 Male Vocalist of the year.

A widely-commissioned composer, Oshkosh native John Harmon has composed music for the Milwaukee Symphony, Duluth Symphony, Santa Fe Chamber Orchestra and many others. A 1957 graduate of Lawrence University, in 1970 he returned to Lawrence to develop and direct their new jazz studies program, and in 1974 he was co-founder of the critically acclaimed, contemporary nonet, “Matrix,” with whom he recorded five albums. His music contains elements of jazz, as well as Americana and Native American influences.

The Symphonic Band’s own Kurt Shipe will be featured trumpet soloist in A Tribute to Harry James. Currently a resident of Oshkosh, Shipe studied music at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. He is a member of the Madison-based 132nd Wisconsin Army National Guard Concert Band and  Director of the 132nd Army Band’s Jazz Ensemble. Shipe freelances on trumpet with a variety of regional groups, including Vic Ferrari, Wifee and the Huzzband, Kyle Megna and the Monsoons, Stephen Cooper and Nobody Famous, The Jazz Orgy, Sly Joe and the Smooth Operators, Water City Jazz Orchestra, and Unity the Band.

The program will also feature another John Harmon composition: Symphony (For love of the game…), selections from the 1965 comedy classic The Great Race by Henry Mancini, Symphonic Prelude: Black Is the Color of My True Love’s Hair by Alfred Reed, and other recent and vintage works for concert band.

There is no admission charge for the concert; a free-will offering will be received. Sponsors’ seating is available at $15 for main floor seating and $100 for a mezzanine box with seating for four. Tickets can be purchased online through PayPal at www.fdlsymphonicband.com.