By Robert Whitmire

The Stevens Point City Band will kick off its summer season Wednesday, June 7 at the Pfiffner Park Bandshell.

The Wednesday evening concerts have been a longstanding tradition and the history of city band traces its roots back to the late 1800s.

Concerts under the direction of Kathy Kawleski start at 7 PM. In the event of inclement weather the band will perform in the gymnasium at St. Paul Lutheran Church and School, 1919 Wyatt Ave.

The concerts are free and audience members should bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating.

The director is a UW-Stevens Point music department alum and currently teaches music education and high school drama.

“A Musical Montage” is the theme for the season’s first concert and will include an array of selections from a variety of musical genres including “Gilbert & Sullivan”Of Sea and Song”, “Italian Festival”, Gustav Holst’s First Suite in E-Flat for Military Band and the children’s march, “Repasz Band March” by Charles Sweeley.

Holst penned his First Suite in E-flat in 1909. The work premiered in 1920 by the Royal Military School of Music. This was his first work written for military band. Holst composed his Second Suite in F in 1911 and that work was first performed in 1922. Both are considered the hallmarks of the military band repertoire.

Michele’s Restaurant and Catering will provide food for purchase before and during the concert. The concert season runs through Aug. 2.