The Northwest Iowa Concert and Jazz bands present their spring concert tonight. Rich Nicklay, who directs the concert band, says it will be a great night of music.
“Two hundred and fifty years of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. So, um, I found some tunes that fit that occasion, and one of them was written just for this two hundred and fiftieth celebration by a composer. And he shared this free of charge, this music all across the United States. And so there are many community bands playing this one particular piece called USA two fifty. So a wide variety of music and most importantly, it is a free concert.”
The members of the concert and jazz bands represent a wide area in northwest Iowa and southern MN.
“We’re based out of Estherville is where we rehearse and practice and where the concert is tonight. But we have members that come from fifteen different cities around the area, some from as far away as Algona and Humboldt, and they come for the love of playing band instruments and making music. And then eventually, like tonight, playing music for other people to enjoy.”
The concert band is directed by Rich Nicklay and the Jazz Band is directed by Scott Benjamin. The concert is called Celebrating USA -250 and will be at the Estherville VFW. They will serve a burger basket meal starting at 6:00 and the concert will start at 7:30. These community bands are partially sponsored by Excel! Estherville, a non-profit. corporation and affiliated division of the Estherville Area Chamber of Commerce.
