The Karl L. King Municipal Band of Fort Dodge is planning a special concert on Sunday evening to celebrate America’s Independence Day holiday. Concert time is 7:30 p.m. at the Karl L. King Band Shell in Oleson Park. There is no admission charge, courtesy of the City of Fort Dodge.

Conductor Dan Cassady has planned a fun evening of music that is pure Americana. Also involved in the evening’s program is Paul Bloomquist as the band’s announcer.

March music is always a part of every concert, and this week will include one of Karl L. King’s earliest compositions, “Salute to Camp Harrison,” and his lively circus galop, “Majestic,” along with Edwin Franko Goldman’s stirring march, “The Chimes of Liberty,” and Earl McCoy’s march, “Lights Out,” which includes the familiar bugle call taps.

This concert will include “An American Spectacular,” which captures the spirit of our forefathers and takes us on a musical journey throughout American history, along with John Philip Sousa’s arrangement of “Fugue on Yankee Doodle.”

A special performance of Leroy Anderson’s popular “Bugler’s Holiday,” always an audience favorite, will highlight the evening. Featured performers on this selection will include Tim Miller from Humboldt, David Swaroff from Belmond and Amaia Walsh from Fort Dodge.

Scott Johnson will narrate a historical tribute to America during “Within These Hallowed Halls,” a patriotic setting of two of America’s most popular hymns, “Amazing Grace” and the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Rounding out this concert of patriotic American music will be the “Salute to American Jazz,” America’s only true original art form. This medley includes such jazz standards as Dizzy Gillespie’s “Night in Tunisia,” W.C. Handy’s “St. Louis Blues,” Duke Ellington’s “It Don’t Mean A Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing)” and “Birdland” by the group Weather Report. There will also be a medley of songs from the popular Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical set during World War II, “South Pacific.”

The Independence Day concert always closes with America’s national march, “The Stars and Stripes Forever” by John Philip Sousa, followed by the playing of our National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

Remember to bring along your own lawn chairs or blanket, since there is no seating provided. Persons attending this concert are encouraged to proudly wear their red, white, and blue and bring small American flags to wave at appropriate times during this hour-long concert.

With July 4 being on Friday this year, people may be enjoying a long weekend break. What a great way to wrap up the holiday weekend with a band concert of familiar patriotic music to celebrate our country’s independence played by your own local municipal band.

In case of inclement weather, the concert may be cancelled at the starting time. Any announcements will be made on the band’s Facebook page listing for the Karl L. King Municipal Band at https://www.facebook.com/karlkingband/.