Kokomo Park Band final concert tomorrow
Also, Solidarity Scholarship Golf Outing, Sept. 23
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“Bird Watching” is the theme for the Kokomo Park Band’s final Wednesday evening concert of the season. The free program for Wednesday, July 26, begins at 7:30 p.m. and will feature professional alto saxophonist Stacy Maugans. This week’s sponsor is Stout Funeral Homes and Crematory. This is the 121st season of weekly summer concerts by the KPB. Their Artistic Director and Conductor is Professor Jay Gephart, Director of Bands at Purdue University.
Dr. Stacy Maugans will perform “Tico Tico,” by Brazilian composer Zequinha Abreu. Maugans, a graduate of Western High School, is Associate Professor of Music at Valparaiso University where she has received the Excellence in Teaching Award. She is also on the faculty of the Lutheran Summer Music Academy and Festival.
An active recitalist, adjudicator, and lecturer on the history of saxophone in Russia and the former Soviet Union, Dr. Maugans has received grants from the United States Department of Education and Social Science Research Council for studies in Russian. She has performed and taught throughout the United States, including a solo in Carnegie Hall and internationally in Russia, Tanzania, China, Malta, Croatia, Germany, France, Slovenia, and Thailand.
She earned her Doctor of Music in Saxophone Literature and Performance at Indiana University and Master of Music at Arizona State University. While in high school, she studied saxophone with Larry Kirkman and was a member of the Western Band under the direction of Larry Neuhauser. Her undergraduate degrees of Bachelor of Music and Bachelor of Arts in Mathematics are from Indiana University.
Each selection of the concert relates to the “Bird” theme in some manner. Selections include “Where Eagles Soar” by Stephen Reineke; “Berceuse and Finale from Firebird” by Stravinsky; “The Roosters Lay Eggs in Kansas” by M. Lake; “Theme from ‘The Thorn Birds’” by Jerry Brubaker; “Earle of Oxford's Marche” from the William Byrd Suite by Gordon Jacob; “Birdland” by Joseph Zawinals; “Invincible Eagle March” by Sousa; “Bye Bye Birdie” (Selections from the musical) arranged by John Cacavas; and “Galop” by Arthur Bird. Each movement of Daniel Bukvich’s “From Hymn of St. Francis” depicts various species: “A Murmuration of Starlings,” “A Squabble of Seagulls,” “A Drumming of Grouse and a Gatling of Woodpeckers,” and “A Flight of Swallows.”
Following this week’s concert, the band will take a break until Sunday, Sept. 3, at 7 p.m. when it will return for a concert celebrating the Labor Day weekend. Next week, the Kokomo Men of Note Barbershop Chorus will perform in the same time slot at Highland Park.
The series is presented in cooperation with the Kokomo Parks Department, the Miller Fund of the Community Foundation of Howard County, Center Township, the Allen Whitehill Clowes Foundation, the Arts Federation in cooperation with the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, and American Legion Post #6.
Events are made possible by the generous donations from individuals and area businesses who are fans and supporters of the band. Contributions should be sent to Kokomo Park Band; P.O. Box 6039; Kokomo, IN 46904-6039. More information can be found on the band's website: www.kokomoparkband.org; and on Facebook.
Solidarity Scholarship Golf Outing, Sept. 23
Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union will host the inaugural Solidarity Scholarship Golf Outing on Saturday, Sept. 23, at Chippendale Golf Course. The goal of the Solidarity Golf Outing is to continue providing scholarships for students in Howard, Cass, Carroll, Miami, Tipton, White, and Clinton counties.
Solidarity Community Federal Credit Union began the scholarship program in 2020 by awarding five $1,000 scholarships. In 2021, the number increased to 10, with two being set aside specifically for trade school students, and in 2023, Solidarity awarded 12, $1,000 scholarships.
Proceeds from the tournament will go into the Solidarity Scholarship fund with the goal to provide more scholarships every year to area students. To ensure the success of the scholarship program, Solidarity is looking for tournament sponsorship partners. There are several sponsorship options available or put a team together. See the informational flyer included with this article for more details.