Wheaton Municipal Band Kicks Off 96th Season

WHEATON, IL — The Wheaton Municipal Band kicked off its 96th season on June 12 in Memorial Park.

The band will perform evening concerts through the first week of August, featuring guest conductors, themed performances and a patriotic concert to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday. Each concert begins at 7:30 p.m. Here's the schedule for 2025:

• June 28: Dr. Elizabeth Peterson, who taught at University of Illinois and Ithaca College, conducts
• July 2: Red, White and KaBOOM features patriotic American songs
• July 10: The Color of Music spotlights color-inspired tunes
• July 17: Bernstein Bookends features music by Leonard Bernstein
• July 24: The Wonderful World of Percussion features steel pan player Jaden Teague-Núñez
• July 26: Edman Spectacular Centennials and Celebrations, hosted in Edman Chapel, features United States Marine Band Gunnery Sergeant Trevor Mowry on solo oboe
• July 31: Alfred Watkins, who co-founded and conducts Georgia's Cobb Wind Symphony, will be featured as guest conductor
• Aug. 7: Wheaton Municipal Band closes its 2025 season with some of its favorite songs from the past 96 years

The history of the Wheaton Municipal Band dates back to 1929 and currently features 89 musicians who were chosen through an invite-only process. The band has played at McCormick Place and the American Bandmasters Association Conference.

Concert attendees are encouraged to bring chairs and blankets to Memorial Park. Friends of the Wheaton Municipal Band will be on hand to offer ice cream and popcorn for purchase.