Marshall Municipal Band treks to Arrow Rock for concert Wednesday, returns to Marshall for concert Thursday

Arrow Rock's Huston Tavern will echo with the melodious sounds of the Marshall Municipal Band Wednesday evening, July 29. The band will be performing their annual John Emmerson concert on the green by the tavern at 7 p.m.

"Mr. Emmerson was a long time member of the band and when he was no longer able to play with the band, the band came to him in Arrow Rock. And although he is no longer with us, the band has still returns annually to Arrow Rock," said Director Kevin Lines.

The band will return to the east lawn of the First United Methodist Church, 225 E. Arrow St. in Marshall, for the their regular concert Thursday evening at 7:30 p.m.

Marches are a vital part of any band's performance, Lines said, and the band will offer up a trio of marches in this week's concerts.

First is Henry Fillmore's "The Klaxon." The band then "crosses the pond" with Zo Elliott's "British Eighth." The third march will be John Philip Sousa's "Comrades of the Legion."

"It may seem strange that while Sousa is the best-known of the three composers, his march is probably the most obscure. Sousa was truly an American patriot who most vigorously supported his country especially during World War I. As would be expected, requests constantly came to

him to compose marches for different entities. None, however, was as special as the request by the newly formed American Legion, a group whose patriotism was equal to his own," said Lines.

The band's first overture is "Over There" arranged by M. L. Lake.

"Lake was a gifted arranger for band who incorporated some of the most beloved songs from World War I into his medley," Lines said.

The band's second overture, "Ash Lawn Echoes," is by Robert W. Smith.

"This is a dignified yet dramatic overture conjuring visions of the beautiful mid-American countryside, particularly that of Albemarle County in Virginia, where the home of James Monroe, 5th president of the United States, is located," Lines said.

The band will perform a James Ployhar arrangement of the American folk song "Shenandoah."

"While time has obscured the accurate history of this work, it cannot diminish its beauty," Lines said.

Last week the band performed "The Rakes of Mallow" from Leroy Anderson's "Irish Suite." The band will perform another work from that same suite.

This time the band will play "The Irish Washerwoman." Of this work, Lines said, "This is a challenge for every member in the band as it is truly a tour-de-force from the pen of Mr. Anderson."

The band turns to the music of Broadway with "Highlights from The Kind and I" by Rodgers and Hammerstein. This medley includes "I Whistle a Happy Tune," "Hello Young Lovers," "March Of The Siamese Children" and "Shall We Dance?"

The closing trilogy will begin with another Robert W. Smith work based on the hymn, "Precious Lord Take My Hand."

The band's patriotic selection is Melvin Shelton's "Centennial."

This work was written in 1990 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Idaho's statehood. Shelton based his work on songs that would have been commonly performed during the 1890 era.

It is not surprising Civil War melodies were still very popular during this time. Melodies Shelton included are "America, the Beautiful," "Kingdom Coming," "Listen to the Mocking Bird," "Annie Laurie" and "America."

The concert will conclude with "Uncle Sammy."