June 29, 2007

Lafayette Citizens Band to offer 'cool' concert

Jay S. Gephart will direct the Purdue Summer Concert Band in a musical set done in the pops style of John Phillip Sousa. Some of the songs planned for the band include "Persuasion," by Sammy Nestico; "Broadway Showstoppers Overture," by Warren Barker; and "Who's Who in Navy Blue," by John Philip Sousa.

At 7:30 p.m., the Lafayette Citizens Band, directed by retired Purdue Bands director Bill Kisinger, will take the stage with a number of tunes that have winter or holiday settings, such as Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride."

While the Lafayette Citizens Band offers a series of summer concerts, the Purdue Summer Concert Band performs just once each July, said Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands public relations director. The Purdue band is made up of 70 members that include Purdue faculty, students and staff, high school students and community musicians.

"The thing about summer band that I enjoy is the wonderful mix of people," Gephart said. "It's the one time a year it exists, and it takes a great collaboration to make it happen."

Many of the Purdue Summer Band musicians, and nearly all of Purdue's music faculty members also play in the Lafayette Citizens Band, Matter said.

Admission to the concert is free, but those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs for seating on the plaza and surrounding grounds.

Source: Kathy Matter, Purdue Bands public relations director, (765) 496-6785, kcmatter@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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