Music in the Park 2014
Free performances - - Start at 7:00 p.m.
Sinnissippi Park Music Shell, 1401 N. Second St., Rockford IL
Rain Site: Harlem High School
Presented by MembersAlliance Credit Union
with assistance from the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois,
the Illinois Arts Council and the Rockford Area Arts Council
IN CONCERT
Tuesday, June 10
*Rain date: Wednesday, June 11
Phantom Regiment
Drum & Bugle Corps
Help us kick off the 2014 season with the 2008 world
Champion Phantom Regiment. This year’s production is
“Swan Lake,” and is based on the Tchaikovsky ballet of
the same name. In addition to the Tchaikovsky music, it
includes music by Paul Dukas, Philip Feeney, James
Horner, and James Newton Howard. They will also
perform selections from past years.
Thursday, June 12
Silver Creek Band
The Silver Creek Band is a country/bluegrass band that
has been performing for 17 years around the northern
Illinois area. They mix modern country with a dash of
bluegrass. They are a family band with tight harmonies,
mixing electric guitar with fiddle and other acoustic
instruments. Regardless of your age, the band has
something in their performance you will enjoy.
Tuesday, June 17
“The Summerwinds”
Performed by the Rockford Concert Band
Bill Petersen, Conductor
Featuring Mark Baldin, Trumpet and Vocalist Judy
Knudtson
Thursday, June 19
No Music In The Park Concert -
Juneteenth Festival
Come out to the Sinnissippi Music Shell to enjoy the
activities, food, and entertainment of the annual
Juneteenth celebration from 1 to 9 PM.
Tuesday, June 24
“Rhythmic Journey”
Performed by the Rockford Concert Band
Tim Schmidt, Conductor
Featuring Richard Drew, Clarinet and Vocalist Naomi
Allen
Thursday, June 26
Northern Illinois Barbershoppers
This is NOT your father’s barbershop!
Please welcome to Rockford for the very first time, the
Northern Illinois Combined Chorus as they present
"Harmony Fest.” The NIC Chorus is made up of nearly
100 men from barbershop choruses throughout northern
Illinois, including Rockford's very own 2nd City Chorus
and the Rockford Barbershop Chorus. Music selections
will include pop, gospel, show tunes, patriotic, and of
course classical barbershop songs.
Tuesday, July 1
Patriotic Concert
Honoring Our Country, Our Veterans,
and Our Music
Performed by the Rockford Concert Band
Bill Petersen, Conductor
Laura Hogberg, Flute and Vocalist Chris Brady
Thursday, July 3
Harlan Jefferson Tribute Show
Harlan Jefferson Presents "It Don’t Mean A Thing If It
Ain’t Got That Swing," A Tribute to the Legends of Jazz.
Featuring Mike Williamson, Frankie Wesson, Danielle
Juhre, and of course, Harlan Jefferson, you'll enjoy the
music of Frank Sinatra and the Rat Pack, Nat King Cole,
Louie Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and more.
Tuesday, July 8
“Romance for a Midsummer Night”
Performed by the Rockford Concert Band
Bill Petersen, Conductor
Featuring Jim Martindale, Cornet and Vocalist Megan
Besley
Thursday, July 10
Gizzae Reggae Band
Hailing from the beautiful Caribbean island of Dominica,
the ancient and holy lands of Ethiopia, and the birthplace
of humanity, Ghana, Africa, comes the award winning
reggae music of Gizzae. Their musical experiences have
collectively earned them Grammy® awards, Chicago
Music Awards, and they have opened for some of the
biggest names in reggae.
Tuesday, July 15
“To Britain and Beyond”
Performed by the Rockford Concert Band
Scott Aska, Conductor
Featuring Mark Aska, Trombone and Vocalist Tony
Jones
Thursday, July 17
The Jodi Beach Trio
Special Guests Tony Vecchio and David Thompson
Jodi Beach is not simply a singer/pianist, she is a
storyteller, a theme weaver, a scrapbook of our lives
presented in song. Her performances walk the listener
through a gallery of fine works by the masters, and let
them linger in their grace. “Timeless” best describes a
Jodi Beach concert. Music that is as alive today as it was
when first born. She will delight you with her warmth and
smile as her voice touches your soul.
Tuesday, July 22
“Sounds of the Silver Screen”
Performed by the Rockford Concert Band
Bill Petersen, Conductor
Featuring Erika Sheely, Euphonium and Vocalist Ryan
Jensen
Thursday, July 24
American English Beatles Tribute
American English is simply the best Beatles tribute story
of our time. At the inception of the band, they were voted
“number one” by thousands of Beatle fans as winners of
sound-alike contests at Beatlefest for three consecutive
years. The fantasy lives on with these remarkable
musicians, who take the music to the highest level
possible. American English is the closest you will ever
get to reliving The Beatles. Whether you grew up with
the Fab Four or not, this show will be your window to the
past. Witness “The Complete Beatles Tribute” with
American English!
Tuesday, July 29
The Flat Cats
The Flat Cats, based in Chicago, play a range of vintage
and modern music rooted in the hottest swinging jazz
and blues, contemporary classics, and timeless
standards. Whether you choose to listen, tap your foot,
or cut a rug on the dance floor, you are sure to be
entertained!
Thursday, July 31
Can't Touch This
A funk, party, and dance band playing all of your favorite
hits! Can't Touch This plays dance music from the ‘70s to
today, such as Cee Lo Green, Chaka Khan, Earth Wind
and Fire, Kool and the Gang, and all other popular funk
and R&B. They dress up, you get down.
Tuesday, August 5
Rock Valley Summer Festival
Orchestra
The Rock Valley Festival Orchestra is made up of
musicians from the Music Academy of Rockford, Rock
Valley College, the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, and
local professional musicians. Now in its third season, the
orchestra is led by Rock Valley College Music Professor
and Rockford Symphony Principal Cellist Michael Beert.
This year’s program will feature favorite orchestral works
by Schubert, Borodin, and Mozart. Also, the orchestra
will perform "Jazz with Strings", three jazz arrangements
for jazz combo and strings featuring local artist Ken
Stein on clarinet.
Thursday, August 7
The Blooze Brothers
Special Appearance by the Blooze Mobile
This high-powered, choreographed, 12-piece show band
covers music from the ‘40s to top 10, swing, Motown,
soul, R&B, classic rock, original music from the band,
and of course, the music and crazy antics of the famous
original Blues Brothers!
Tuesday, August 12
Barefoot Hawaiians
For more than 28 years, Barefoot Hawaiians has
entertained audiences with their dynamic dances,
dramatic drumming, vibrant costumes, and display of
customs from the islands. Musicians, dancers, fire
dancers, lei greeters, and their spirit of Aloha will create
“paradise” right here in Rockford.
Thursday, August 14
Moonlight Jazz Orchestra
2014 marks the 40th anniversary of Rockford's very own
Moonlight Jazz Orchestra! Now in its fifth generation
and under the direction of Kent Ecklor, the band
continues to be a local favorite, performing everything
from classic big band swing to rock-n-roll party hits with
an incredible sound and style. Since 1974, the Moonlight
Jazz Orchestra has come to be known as "Rockford's
Favorite Big Band," showcasing superb musical talent
and entertaining stage antics that appeal to every age
group. Come out and join us in the celebration!
