The Fond du Lac Symphonic Band will present the 43rd annual Family Night at Buttermilk Creek Park in Fond du Lac on Wed., July 26. Under the direction of Associate Conductor Jill (Wagner) Koerwitz and Assistant Conductor Nickole Kawleski, the concert will begin at 7:15 p.m. The theme: “Let’s Dance!” will feature a variety of dance genres, including familiar polkas, Danse Macabre, Mexican Hat Dance, When Yuba Plays the Rumba on the Tuba, Dance of the Comedians, Dance of the Hours, and Lord of the Dance featuring Irish dancers led by band member Erin Steward. Macallan Miller will be guest soloist, performing Rhapsody for Flute by Stephen Bulla. Miller is a two-time recipient of the Ray C. Wifler Memorial Scholarship for private study and is currently pursuing a degree in music education at UW-Oshkosh. Long-time band member and beloved local pediatrician, Dr. Don Steward, will show off his talent performing Kabalevsky’s Galop on xylophone, and Tango Fandango will feature the trumpet section. Ten eighth graders, chosen by the band directors from four area schools, will join with the band to play a Sousa march: Manhattan Beach. This year’s students include, from Theisen: Lucy Fridley, alto sax, and Ben Tschetter, percussion. From Woodworth: Megan Klapperich, alto sax, and Declan Newman, trumpet. From Oakfield Middle School: Georgianna Jewson, trumpet and Ava Lamb, percussion. From Lomira Middle School: Catie Schwartz, flute; Alexis Torngren, clarinet; Layton Pahnke, trumpet; Lane Pastorius, tuba. Children are invited to bring a teddy bear or stuffed toy for the Teddy Bear Parade around the park, and children 8 years old and younger may participate in a conducting contest, with prizes from Tucker’s. Free face painting by Amy Priessnitz will be available during the first half of the concert, and all children attending will receive a free sports backpack to commemorate the band’s 125th anniversary season. Family Night is sponsored by the City of Fond du Lac, along with a free-will offering that will be received during the concert. In the event of bad weather, the performance will be moved to the Fond du Lac County Fairgrounds. Next up on the summer schedule, on August 2, is Pegasis, a Green Bay-based group comprised of two sisters/singers from the Dominican Republic, performing with jazz guitarist Matt Hillman.
