The second in a series of three indoor concerts by the Karl L. King Municipal Band of Fort Dodge will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Sunday in the Fort Dodge Middle School Auditorium, 800 N. 32nd St. There is no admission charge, with these concerts being provided by the city of Fort Dodge. Dan Cassady is entering his second season as conductor of the band. Paul Bloomquist is the announcer for these concerts.

This concert will be the band’s annual Irish Concert to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. It is believed that these concerts were started by Karl King when he arrived in Fort Dodge in the early 1920s. These concerts were held for many years at the Corpus Christi Parish Center under King’s direction, and also featured the Fort Dodge Civic Glee Club.

Many familiar Irish tunes will be performed, including everyone’s favorite, “McNamara’s Band,” as arranged by former conductor of the band, Reginald R. Schive.

Other Irish selections on the program include the beautiful “Irish Tune from County Derry,” as arranged for Band by Percy Aldridge Grainger; Warren Barker’s lovely “An Irish Interlude,” and a medley of traditional Irish favorites titled “Strains from Erin,” arranged by Lucien Cailliet, which was often performed by the band with Karl King’s conducting.

Also included in this one-hour concert will be “Dublin Sketches,” by contemporary American composer James Curnow. This composition, based on the Irish folk song “Slane,” features a rich blend of textures and moods composed as a theme and set of three variations, with the final variation having the flavor of a traditional Irish jig.

Several march selections will be performed, including Karl L. King’s 1910 circus favorite, “Pondoroso,” John W. Casto’s rousing “The Irish Brigade,” W. Paris Chambers’ flashy “The Boys of the Old Brigade,” along with John Philip Sousa’s standard in the band repertoire, “Hands Across the Sea.”

Roger Netz from Manson, a long-time member of the band’s saxophone section, will lead the audience in a sing-along of the traditional Irish favorites, “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” and “My Wild Irish Rose,” also arranged by Schive. These concerts always close in the traditional way with the playing of our National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

In case of inclement weather, this concert may be canceled. Any announcements will be made on the band’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/karlkingband/ or on the band’s website at www.karlking.us.

Looking ahead, the final indoor concert will be at 3:30 p.m. on April 26 in the Fort Dodge Middle School Auditorium, which will be the band’s annual Scholarship Concert.