STRIKING UP THE BAND

When conductor Gregory C. Fox strikes up the Compton Heights Concert Band Monday evening, the audience will be treated to toe-tapping John Philip Sousa marches and a spectacular fireworks display scored by Tchaikovsky's "1812" overture.

Now that Cape Girardeau's own municipal band has wrapped up its season, St. Louis' Compton Heights Concert Band will play summer into the sunset with a 6 p.m. performance on Labor Day at the Capaha Park Band Shell.

The first half of the concert will feature vocal soloist Robert Ellison singing numbers from "Porgy & Bess." Ellison, a baritone, is a retired chief master sergeant in the U.S. Air Force.

In the second half, the band spotlights euphonium virtuoso Omer Creech of Sikeston.

The 27-year-old Creech, who is a band director for the New Madrid County schools, is a graduate of Central Methodist College in Fayette, Mo. The euphonium, also called a baritone horn, is his principal instrument.

"At the turn of the century it was one of the premier solo instruments in concert bands," he said.

Although he also plays trombone and trumpet in jazz and rock bands, Creech says those idioms have not replace concert band music in his heart.

"I have always loved the tradition of the American concert band from the days of John Philip Sousa," he said.

"...If we as teachers of music can instill a love of this music in kids, we can teach them to love not just what's on the radio."

The Compton Heights band initially played only for folks in its suburban namesake. It was organized the year of the country's Bicentennial, and had only 18 members to begin with.

They always played in place. "People called it the Compton Heights Standing Band," recalled Harry Swanger, the band's founder, executive director and bassoonist.

But the band now presents an eight-week summer session of Sunday concerts in Francis Park and Monday concerts in Tower Grove Park. More than 50,000 people attend these concerts each year.

It also plays concerts around the state under the Missouri Arts Council Touring Program.

The band's program on Labor Day will include Sousa's "The Washington Post March," "Gathering of the Ranks at Hebron" by David Holsinger, a salute to the Armed Forces, Ellison's performance of "Porgy & Bess" selections and "America the Beautiful," "His Honor March" by Henry Fillmore and "American Civil War Fantasy" by Jerry Bilik.

After an intermission, the band will play "Americans We" by Henry Fillmore, "Big Band Favorites" by Bob Lowden, and Creech's solos on "All Those Endearing Young Charms" by Simon Mantia and "Night in June" by Karl King.

Also, "The Carousel Waltz" by Richard Rodgers, "Country & Western" by Harold Waters, Overture "1812" by Tchaikovsky, Sousa's "Semper Fidelis March" and the encore, "Stars & Stripes Forever."