The LaPorte City Band plays under the direction of Chuck Steck at this year’s Memorial Day concert at Fox Park. (Photo by Mike Kellems)
The LaPorte City Band will kick off its 135th consecutive season on Wednesday, June 4, with the first of its weekly summer concerts in Fox Park. The band, directed by Chuck Steck, will play free concerts each Wednesday starting at 7 p.m. at the outdoor Dennis F. Smith Amphitheater as part of the Arts in the Park program.
Refreshments will be available for sale, but you can also bring your own food. There are some benches but you can bring lawn chairs and blankets. This series is a great summer event for all ages.
The LaPorte Municipal Band began performing for the people of LaPorte in 1879. As throughout its history, members of the band come from all walks of life and play because of their genuine love of music. The band plays a variety of music, from marches to overtures to Broadway and movie music. A number of soloists from the band will also perform this year.
Steck, beginning his second season as musical director, holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music from Valparaiso University. He teaches music at LaPorte High School and Valparaiso University and performs trumpet throughout the Michiana area.
Band members are:
Flutes: Merry Johnson and Elaine Hornyak; oboe: Mary Steck; bassoon: Cindy Ault; clarinet: Kathy Brannen, Shelly Sager, David Ratajik, Terri Hundt, Katie Mitchelin, Mary Lee Riley, Regina Smelser, Carey Scheck, Brittany Bohling; bass clarinet: Olivia Rauschenbach; saxophone: Ray Grivetti, Linda Lantz, Linnea Bessette, Greg Benson; trumpet: Mike Scheck, Andrew Steck, Penny Kerr, Tom Garwood, Jen Shelton, Olivia Jongkind, Rudy Legner; horn: Marge Watson, Dana Chartier, Whitney Hart, Matthew Steck; trombone: Steve Watson, Dan Kelly, Len Bessette; euphonium: Dennis Miller; tuba: Phillip Bessette, Scott Doebler, Richard Watson; percussion: Tom Milo, Ron Hull, Tate Wooding, Megan Noe, Madison Chartier.
Selections for the June 4 concert: “On Wings of Eagles,” Ed Huckeby; “A Festival Prelude,” Alfred Reed; “Promenade in Swingtime,” Bill Holcombe; “Fantasy on American Sailing Songs,” Clare Grundman; “The Silver Quill,” Sammy Nestico; “Ellington!” Larry Kerchner; “Beguine for Band,” Glenn Osser; Selections from “Camelot!” Lerner and Loewe; “His Honor,” Henry Fillmore.