The Karl L. King Municipal Band of Fort Dodge will present a special concert starting at 7:30 p.m. today at the Karl L. King Band Shell in Oleson Park.

Conductor Jerrold P. Jimmerson and Assistant Conductor David Klee will lead the band in a special program of all-time favorites selected by Jimmerson to commemorate his 15th season as conductor of the band after a 43-year playing career.

Marches are always a prominent part of these concerts, and this will be no exception tonight. Opening the concert will be John Klohr’s up-tempo circus bandwagon classic, “The Billboard,” followed by one of King’s best, “The Trombone King.”

Marches written by the two previous conductors of the King Band are also included. Concert-goers will hear W.B. Green’s most famous march, “La Roquina,” and the concert will close with Reginald R. Schive’s tribute to the hometown newspaper, “The Fort Dodge Messenger.” The trio of this march cleverly uses a portion of the Fort Dodge Senior High school song, “Up Fort Dodgers”.

Classical selections on the program include “Two Excerpts from the Pathetique Symphony,” based on melodies from Symphony No. 6 by the Russian composer P.I. Tchaikovsky, along with the “March and Procession of Bacchus” by French composer Leo Delibes.

Lighter works will include “Selections from The Music Man,” written by native Iowan Meredith Willson, and “Fantasia on Lady of Spain,” along with King’s ragtime selection, “Kentucky Sunrise.” Special guest vocalist Shari Netz from Manson will entertain with Natalie Cole’s classic song, “Orange-Colored Sky.”

The concert will close in the usual way with the playing of our National Anthem.

In case of inclement weather, the concert may be cancelled at the starting time. There is no admission charge, with these concerts being provided by the city of Fort Dodge. There will be an ice cream social preceding the concert, starting about 6:30 pm. People are reminded to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets for seating.