DuBois American Legion Band to Perform at Irwin Park

CURWENSVILLE - The DuBois American Legion Band is scheduled to present a full concert at 7 p.m. on Sept. 8 at the Irwin Park Bandshell.

Under the direction of Jack Averill, the band has been entertaining through the region for many years. “It’s been so long, I just can’t pin down the date (we started),” he said.

The band will begin the evening with a German Chorale, which will include a rendition of “Praise to the Lord,” which will be followed by “National Spirit March” - the same arrangement that three of the present 40-member group had the privilege of playing on the march in Paris, France after World War II. “Fanfare and Hymn,” a rendition built on “A Mighty Fortress,” comes next on the list.

Averill noted it was the 10th anniversary of Frank Sinatra’s death, and in tribute to him, the band will play a few numbers for “ol’ blue eyes.”

This year also marks the 100th birthday of Leroy Anderson, fondly known as “America’s composer.” Anderson wrote prolifically for string orchestras, most notably the Boston Pops, but transcribed some of his string scores into a format for concert bands. The Legion Band will present several of his arrangements, including “Blue Tango,” “The Typewriter Song,” “Syncopated Clock,” and “Jazz Pizzicato.”

In tribute to soldiers, a Patriotic segment will wrap up the evening. Renditions of “America, the Beautiful,” “Americans We” and “Our Nation’s Prayer” will be offered, before the band closes with its trademark version of “Stars and Stripes Forever.”

There is no admission fee for the event. Attendees are asked to bring their own seating.

In case of inclement weather, the concert will move to the Curwensville Moose.