MURRAY, Ky. — The Murray State University Town & Gown Community Band will kick off the summer season with a free concert at 7 p.m. June 4 in the Rotary Amphitheater Performing Arts Pavilion, located in Murray’s Central Park.
This year, the band welcomes guest conductor and Director of University Bands Dr. Trae Blanco, also an assistant professor of music at the University.
The Town & Gown Community Band is composed of dozens of students, faculty, staff and community members that play music spanning all musical genres and styles, from big band classics to contemporary favorites.
Blanco said the band will perform hits from the 1920s through today, including highlights from the classic “West Side Story,” “My Old Kentucky Home,” and a full four-movement performance of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “English Folk Song Suite,” which expands upon the original three-movement work.
“I’m excited to be doing this at the invitation of Dr. Todd Hill, who is on sabbatical,” Blanco said. “This community band is special, because it’s an opportunity to bring together students, teachers, non-music majors and anyone in the community with a love of music. It’s such an interesting conglomeration of people.”
Now in its eighth year, the summer concert has become a staple for many in the community.
“We are excited to bring this concert to a community venue this summer,” said Carol Brunn, special projects coordinator for the Town & Gown program. “The Rotary Amphitheater is a great addition to the park and thanks to Rotarian Dr. Roger Reichmuth, we were able to use the facility for what we think will be the first of many community performances held there this summer by other organizations. We are very grateful to our Town & Gown partners for their support of these great cultural opportunities.”
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