Jackson, Cape municipal bands offer music for variety of tastes at summer concerts

This story has been modified to correct performance times of Cape Girardeau concerts, which take place at 7:30 Wednesday evenings

Summer in Jackson and Cape Girardeau means music in the park.

Community members bring their lawn chairs and enjoy free concerts by the Jackson and Cape Girardeau municipal bands, as well as musical guests.

The Jackson band will perform Thursday evenings at Jackson City Park, and guests will perform four Friday night concerts in June, each starting at 7:30 p.m. The Cape Girardeau band will perform at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday nights at Capaha Park.

Director Scott Vangilder conducts the Jackson Municipal Band during a concert June 14, 2012, at the Jackson bandshell in Jackson City Park. (Fred Lynch)

Jackson

According to Shane West Anderson, director of Jackson Parks and Recreation, 2015 is the eighth summer of these concerts that bring in different musicians each week. Along with the Jackson Muny Band's performances, a variety of guests entertain.

"We try to mix it up ... between local acts and out of town," Anderson said. This year's guest musicians include John Latini on June 5, Doug E. Rees and Mark Rees on June 12, Randle Chowning on June 19 and Chad Elliott on June 26.

The musicians they have selected are professionals with whom Ted Clark of Stooges Restaurant is familiar and are connected with musicians in the area and Nashville, Tennessee.

Clark understands those who do well in the "intimate setting" the rock stage area provides and chooses artists who will flourish in that type of setting.

Anderson expects 100 to 150 people to attend each concert.

An evening at the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band concert. (Fred Lynch)

The Jackson Muny Band performs every Thursday evening in June and July except July 23. On July 21, they will perform at Homecomers, and there will be no Thursday concert that week. They will perform again June 30. The last park concert will be Aug. 6.

The Jackson band, which performs with "standard concert band instrumentation," offers a plethora of styles at each concert.

"Every week we play a variety of styles -- from marches, overtures, Broadway selection-type music, pop music," said conductor Scott Vangilder, who has been the conductor since 2010. "There's something for everybody at every concert," he said.

That variety makes the band's appeal wide-ranging.

"It doesn't matter if you're 8 years old or 80, there's something from your era," he said.

The French horn section turns to watch as Pete Parysek and Joseph Greer perform a dueling pianos routine during the Jackson Municipal Band concert June 14, 2012, at the Jackson bandshell in Jackson City Park. (Fred Lynch)

The band plays selections from Disney's "Frozen," Vangilder said as an example of what children might enjoy.

The Jackson band is made up of approximately 45 members, and most of them are returning members.

"Our audience really looks forward to that," Vangilder said.

The band also has two new members this season.

A patriotic concert will be held Aug. 15 at the Missouri Veterans Home in Cape Girardeau to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.

"It's going to be a similar program to Memorial Day programs" with speakers and special music, Vangilder said.

All the concerts are at the Rock Garden stage at Jackson City Park.

The Cape Girardeau Municipal Band trombone section plays June 18 at the Capaha Park bandshell. (Fred Lynch)

Cape Girardeau

The Summer Concert Series at the Capaha Park Amphitheater focuses on a theme for each concert, so people interested in specific music styles may come out on those nights. May 25 brought a Memorial Day concert, and the rest of the concerts are as follows: Americana on June 3; Rock Around the Clock on June 10; March Madness on June 17; Movie Themes on June 24; Salute to America on July 1; Brass, Brass, Brass on July 8; South of the Border on July 15; Jazz and Swing on July 22; and Broadway Showcase on July 29.

The band also will perform in the city's downtown Fourth of July celebration.

Dr. Dan Cotner directs the Cape Girardeau Municipal Band in Henry Fillmore's "His Honor" on June 18 at the Capaha Park bandshell. (Fred Lynch)

Each week features special guest entertainment and a VIP guest conductor.

The band has been performing since 1900 and continues to be a local favorite year after year. Conductor Ronald Nall will lead the band this season for the 23rd consecutive year.

Members range from high-school students to multi-decade muny band veterans.

Jerry Ford has been playing trumpet in the band since 1957. He said the mix of young and old makes the band unique, and offers "a good training ground" for high-school students with musical interests.

The live performances under the stars have plenty to offer the audience as well.

"First of all, it's a great evening in the park, and it sure beats TV reruns," Ford said. "It's a family atmosphere."

Cape Girardeau Parks and Recreation Department officials estimate the performances draw a crowd of about 300 people. Ford said the public has remained loyal to the band throughout its long history.

"People look forward to it," he said. " ... Our first theme is Americana, and I don't think you could find a musical group that exemplifies the American spirit and Americana any more than the Cape Municipal Band."

The Jerry Ford Orchestra, a frequent special guest, will be performing this year for the Jazz and Swing night July 22. The performance takes place during the band's mid-show break.

The final show, Broadway Showcase on July 29, will feature guest vocalists singing popular Broadway tunes.

Pertinent addresses:

Jackson City Park, Jackson, Mo.

Capaha Park, Cape Girardeau, Mo.