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The Lincoln Area Music Society
(LAMS) Community Band concluded its outdoor concert series on Sunday
evening with an America-themed concert in celebration of
Independence Day. More comfortable temperatures and lower humidity
than last week’s heat advisory made for an ideal evening to enjoy
live music in Latham Park.
The band was directed by Riley
McDorman, band director of Athens High School. The concert was
emceed by his father Terry McDorman. The LAMS summer concert series
was sponsored by Lincoln Daily News, ME Realty, Culver’s, Begolka
Farms, and Eaton Corporation.
The concert began with LAMS
Community Band’s traditional opening song, “The Star-Spangled
Banner.” The national anthem was a fitting opening to the concert’s
theme of “Salute to America.” The music continued with “American
Visions” by Traivs Weller followed by "America the Beautiful,”
originally a poem by Kate Lee Bates entitled “Pike’s Peak” later set
to music by Samuel Ward. The next number was “A Patriotic Fantasy”
written by composer George M. Cohan, who also composed well-known
songs including “Over There” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.” The
first half of the concert concluded with a march entitled “America
Exultant” by the composer Henry Filmore who inherited the title of
“March King” after John Philip Sousa’s death.
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The band then took a ten minute
intermission, which allowed the audience and band the opportunity to
enjoy delicious homemade cake with ice cream prepared by the Lincoln
Woman’s Club. The proceeds from the cake and ice cream sales at each
summer band concert support the Lincoln Woman’s Club charitable
works and scholarships.
The band opened the second half of
the concert with “Always United, Forever Strong” by Brian Balmages.
This number was followed by “American Heroes,” a medley of military
branch songs by Carl Strommen. During this medley, active and
veteran service members were asked to stand for recognition during
their branch’s song. The next selection was “In Honor of the Fallen”
followed by John Philip Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever,” the
national march of the USA. The concert concluded with the
traditional “God Bless America” in which the audience was invited to
stand and sing.
Video - LAMS Community Band
performs Stars and Stripes Forever
LAMS is comprised of volunteers,
and community musicians are warmly invited to join the LAMS Chorale
and Orchestra for the fall season beginning in October. McDorman
announced the formation of a Community Handbell Choir to begin also
this fall. Anyone seeking more information or any business or
individuals interested in sponsoring the Lincoln Area Music Society
may contact lincolnareamusicsociety@gmail.com.
[Stephanie Hall]
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