Park band schedule
All concerts are 8 p.m. on Wednesdays at Highland Park. If it rains, the concerts move to the auditorium at Kokomo High School’s South Campus.
June 10: “Maestro’s Favorites”
June 17: “Opening Night on Broadway”
June 24: “Spotlight on Youth”
July 1: “The Greatest Generation – A Musical Tribute to World War II”
July 8: Big Band Night: “The Best of Big Band Night”
July 15: “Side by Side” Concert: “Songs and Dances”
July 22: “Brass Band Night”
July 29: “See the U.S.A.”
It’s been 20 years since Stephen Rhodes first stood holding a baton in front of the Kokomo Park Band.
To recognize the landmark anniversary, the band’s board of directors decided to dedicate the band’s season opener on Wednesday in Rhodes’ honor.
“We pick the music a year or two in advance,” Rhodes said. “... I realized last year this is my 20th anniversary, so I kind of did that for myself.”
Rhodes hasn’t always been the conductor. He joined the band as a trombonist in 1978; however, his time is barely a dent in the band’s history, which dates back to the Civil War.
The band got its start, under the leadership of Miami native Byron Reed, by playing at recruitment rallies, parades and union meetings.
Since its early years, Kokomo Park Band has passed through many leaders and names, all while playing at events such as the Indianapolis 500 and Kokomo Red Sox baseball games, according to the band’s Web site. However, the Wednesday concerts have remained a tradition.
Larry Kirkman, the band’s manager, said the Wednesday concerts average between 1,000 and 1,500 audience members.
The band’s approximate 45 members rehearse Tuesdays for the next day’s show, Kirkman said.
The band, which is a non-profit group, is supported by grants and private contributions, he said.
This week’s concert will kick off the eight-show season that spans through July. Concerts are always 8 p.m. at Highland Park, unless it rains, which would move the show to the auditorium at Kokomo High School’s South Campus.
Wednesday’s program will feature the Pipes and Drums band of Anderson Highland High School. The traditionally British and Scottish style band will play several Highland-style marches with the Kokomo Park Band, Rhodes said.
“It’s such an amazing sound and there’s not a whole lot of music written for pipes and bands,” Rhodes said.
During his 31 years with the band, Rhodes said his favorite shows have been the historically-themed ones, such as the big band-style concert on July 8. Among those, Rhodes said, shows with music by John Philip Sousa are the best.
For the Sousa concerts, Rhodes said, he pays homage to the former military musician by dressing in a lieutenant commander’s coat he bought at an Army-Navy surplus store.
“With my beard and gray hair, I look an awful lot like Sousa every year we do [the concert],” Rhodes said.
• Daniel Human is a Kokomo Tribune staff writer. He can be reached at (765) 454-8570 or at daniel.human@kokomotribune.com.
Local News
Related Photos
Discussion
Park Band opens concert season Wednesday
First show to honor director’s 20th year.
- Local News
-
-
Students kick off Black History Month at IU Kokomo
“Hey, black child, be what you can be. Learn what you can learn. Do what you can do. And tomorrow, your nation will be what you want it to be.”
-
Council taking heat for proposal
The Miami County Council on Thursday got to hear from county employees who are disgruntled about proposed budget cuts that would reduce the county general fund by nearly $900,000.
-
County looks at health care options
With the city of Kokomo ending its relationship with Novia Health Care, Howard County officials are now discussing what move they will make.
-
KHS to implement new technology program
Starting next school year, the more than 500 freshmen enrolled at Kokomo High School will receive either a laptop computer or tablet device as part of a new technology program that school officials say will improve learning in the classroom.
-
Measles patient was at NFL event
East Coast fans who left the Super Bowl host city feeling good about Hoosier hospitality may have been exposed to something less welcome: The measles.
-
Outreach provides housing to the down-and-out
Dale Bliss tells the story of a man with no money, no job and two kids.
Without any way to pay for a hotel or rent an apartment, the man was living in a tent with his children at a reservoir near Kokomo. He told them it was a family camping trip.
-
Green tech lab opens in Kokomo
A California green technology company has opened a research and development lab in Kokomo and plans to hire as many as 35 people over the next few years, the business announced this week.
-
Main Street conference coming to Kokomo
Following up on its Indiana Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Community of the Year award, Kokomo received another accolade this week.
-
Howard Co. jail reconfiguration a ‘short-term solution’
With the ever-increasing number of female prisoners at the Howard County jail, local officials are looking to implement a short-term solution instead of expanding the existing facility.
-
Delphi retirees continue fight for pensions
A group of then-Delphi Corp. retirees saw a long road ahead of them when they banded in 2009 to keep hold of their full pensions and benefits.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
