By Robert Whitmire

The Stevens Point City Band, under the direction of Kathryn Kawleski, will present its third concert of the summer season on Wednesday, June 22 at 7:00 PM in the Pfiffner Pioneer Park band shell along the Wisconsin River.

“From Ship to Shore” will be the theme as the band salutes the high seas and various exotic ports of call. Featured music will include “Sea Songs” by Ralph Vaughan Williams, “The Girl From Ipanema”, “The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea”, “Caribbean Hideaway”, selections from “SouthPacific” and “Sea Song Fantasy”. “Anchors Aweigh” will be the music for the weekly children’s march.

Widely known for his musical compositions based on the folk songs that he had collected on his travels through the English countryside, Ralph Vaughn Williams studied with the likes of Maurice Ravel and Edward Elgar. He was born October 12, 1872 in Down Ampney, Gloucestershire.

Anchors Aweigh, adopted as the official song of the U.S. Navy, was written by Lieutenant Charles A Zimmerman and dedicated to the Naval Academy Class of 1907. Zimmerman, a graduate of Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore was appointed the Naval Bandmaster in 1887. The words to the first two verses were penned by Midshipman first class Alfred Hart Miles and the song was first played at the 1906 Army-Navy Football game, won by the Navy 10-0.

Words were added to the third stanza by Midshipman Royall Lovell – Class of 1926.

Michele’s Restaurant and Catering of Stevens Point will be offering food for sale before and during the concert. Concerts are free and held Wednesday evenings through August 3. Audience members should bring chairs or blankets for seating. In the event of inclement weather, the concert will be held in the gymnasium at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, 1919 Wyatt Avenue, Stevens Point.