May 26, 2016

Band playing in Memorial Day program near Capitol

The Greater Des Moines Community Band will participate in the World War II Memorial Day Remembrance at 1:30 p.m. Monday, May 30, at East 13th Street and Grand Avenue in Des Moines.

The program will include patriotic music selections, a rifle detail memorial salute, a tribute to World War II veterans and taps.

A picture of the band will be taken at 1:20 p.m. Each band member should bring a chair and stand and dress in his or her blue Greater Des Moines Community Band polo shirt and khaki pants or shorts.

The band's patriotic concert will include "Armed Forces Salute," "American Legion March," "Vietnam Veterans March," "God Bless America," "You're a Grand Old Flag," "The Liberty Bell" and "Midway March."

After the speaker's presentation, the band will play "Semper Fidelis" and "America the Beautiful."

Following a prayer, rifle salute and taps, the band will play "Stars and Stripes Forever."

The band will play next to the Freedom Flame memorial, a 50-foot-high stainless steel stylized flame, which honors all those who served during World War II and reminds Americans why the U.S. got involved in the conflict - to preserve freedom around the world.

Leading up to the flame is the Freedom Walk, a walkway through time, starting with Pearl Harbor. The plaza floor is comprised of a global map that shows the five major theaters of operation.

Monday's program will conclude at 3:05 p.m.

The VFW is in charge of the event.

May 16, 2016

Practice site switched

The Greater Des Moines Community Band will practice at Illahee Hills Retirement Center, 8308 Colby Parkway, Urbandale, on Monday, May 23.

The band will practice at its normal time from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. However, band members can set up as early as 6 p.m.

Band members should bring chairs and stands. Percussion should bring their equipment, stands, etc.

To get to the rehearsal site inside Illahee Hills Retirement Center, go to the entrance with the circle drive in front of it. After entering on the second floor of the building, go down one level to the first floor where the room is located. There should be an elevator available as well as stairs to help band members get downstairs.

Tonight's rehearsal (May 16) is at Rieman's as usual.

The band cannot use Rieman's or its usual backup site at Westkirk on May 23 due to conflicts at both sites.