This summer, the city of Ames and Iowa State University are hosting the National Community Band, an annual event sponsored by the John Philip Sousa Foundation. This group will perform on Sunday, July 13 at 3:30 pm in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union, and on Saturday, July 12 at 5:00 pm in the Herman Park Pavilion for the Boone Municipal Band Festival. Both concerts are free and open to the public.
The National Community Band is an adult band of 85 musicians from across the country. The conductor will be John Bourgeois, Director Emeritus of the U.S. Marine Band, “The President’s Own.” Colonel Bourgeois served from 1979-1996 as the 25th conductor of the Marine Band, and entered the band in 1959 as a French hornist. He has appeared at the White House more than any other musician in history.
According to Michael Golemo, director of bands at Iowa State, “On behalf of both the Iowa State band program and the Ames Municipal Band, we are honored to host this event that is bringing so many people to the city of Ames. We are also fortunate that Colonel Bourgeois, who is a true legend in the band world, will conduct several selections with the Ames Municipal Band on their July 10 concert at Bandshell Park.”