Save the Date! The 132nd Wisconsin Army National Guard Band will be performing throughout the state of Wisconsin as part of its annual summer tour. The group will be in Merrill to perform with the City Band on Wednesday, July 3rd at the Normal Park Gazebo beginning at 7:00 pm. The band will also be making an appearance at the Pow Wow Days parade in Tomahawk on July 4th, with a concert later that day in Athens.
The 132nd Army Band is composed of approximately 40 Soldier musicians. Based out of the National Guard State Headquarters in Madison, these citizen Soldiers come together approximately one weekend per month and two weeks during the summer. The band is under the direction of CW3 Bradley E. Anderson. The band entertains our troops and civilians all over the State of Wisconsin and in the past several years has also traveled to Germany, Oklahoma, and Hawaii. The versatility of the band is apparent with their many performing ensembles that include: concert band, ceremonial band, jazz band, jazz combo, rock band, brass quintet, woodwind quintet, sax ensemble, and trombone quartet
The Merrill City Band, in its 108th season, has 70 regular musicians, with 50 of those marking ten or more years. The band performs a variety of music every Wednesday night at Normal Park, this year from June 19-August 1, with the exception of the 4th of July. The finale concert on August 7th will be on Merrill’s west side at Cenotaph Park (Park Place) at 6:00 pm. Additional performances include the Merrill Memorial Day Ceremony, the Tomahawk Pow Wow Days Parade on July 4th, and the Merrill Labor Day parade. Linda Becker marks her 43rd year with the group, 40 of those as director. She can be contacted at (715) 873-4564 or [email protected].
The July 3rd concert will feature both bands individually, as well as a combined performance of “On, Wisconsin” and “The Stars and Stripes Forever.” Concessions will be available for purchase beginning at 5:00 pm. Preconcert entertainment will be provided by Winchester. The public is invited to attend this free concert, with a special invitation going out to all veterans. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and come out to enjoy an evening of great band music in the park.
In the event of inclement weather, concessions will not be available, but the concert will be held at Merrill High School Auditorium.