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King Band Concert is March 15

Band will perform familiar Irish tunes for St. Patrick’s Day

The second in a series of three indoor concerts by the Karl L. King Municipal Band of Fort Dodge will be held at 3 p.m. March 15 in the Decker Auditorium on the campus of Iowa Central Community College. There is no admission charge, with these concerts being provided free of charge to everyone by the city of Fort Dodge. Conductor of the band is Jerrold P. Jimmerson, with Dr. David Klee as assistant conductor and Paul Bloomquist serving as announcer.

This concert is the band’s traditional Irish concert in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. Many familiar Irish tunes will be performed, including everyone’s favorite, “McNamara’s Band,” as arranged by former conductor Reginald R. Schive.

The concert opens with an exciting march “The Irish Brigade” by John W. Casto, and ends with another march selection, “Bon Voyage,” composed by the band’s namesake, Karl L. King, which he dedicated “to my Band.”

Irish selections on the program include “Ireland,” a medley of traditional Irish songs, and the lovely “An Irish Suite for Band,” along with Leroy Anderson’s delightful “The Rakes of Mallow” from his Irish Suite. Music from the pen of one of Karl King’s favorite composers will be heard as well with a medley of “Victor Herbert Favorites,” who was an American composer with Irish ancestry.

Two special guest soloists will be featured during this hour-long concert. First will be flautist Dr. David Klee, performing Anne McGinty’s contemporary work, “Variations and Theme.” Klee is the principal flute and piccolo player with the King Band as well as the assistant conductor. Klee is also principal flute with the Fort Dodge Area Symphony and performs with the Comedia Musica Orchestra.

Klee is associate professor of music and director of jazz studies/music production and technology at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake. He holds a doctor of musical arts in flute performance from the University of Georgia, a master of music from the University of South Carolina and a bachelor of arts in music education from Mercer University.

The second guest soloist will be Robert Patton, baritone, from Gowrie. Patton attended the University of Northern Iowa before joining the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants in Washington, D.C. During his 20-year career in the military, Patton soloed with the National Symphony and the Boston and Cincinnati Pops Orchestras. He also performed with the Washington Civic, Baltimore, Wolf Trap, Northern Virginia and Annapolis opera companies. In 1991 he returned to Gowrie and became editor and publisher of The Gowrie News, the fourth generation owner of a 110 year-old family business. He is now retired from the newspaper after a 20-year career, but is still very active and much sought-after as a vocalist throughout the Midwest.

Patton will perform two Irish selections with the band. First will be “Danny Boy,” as arranged by Reginald R. Schive. Patton will then lead the audience in a sing-along of the traditional Irish favorite, “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” also arranged by Schive.

This concert will close with the national anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.” In case of inclement weather, the concert may be cancelled. Any announcement will be made on the band’s website at www.karlking.us or on the band’s facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/karlkingband.

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