The Dexter Community Band pays tribute to that Waskilly Wabbit, Bugs Bunny, who introduced children to the classical music of Rossini’s Barber of Seville, Wagner’s Tannhauser, Strauss’ Die Fledermaus, Von Suppe’s Morning, Noon and Night and a medley of Stephen Foster favorites that accompanied Bugs Bunny’s antics while outwitting Elmer Fudd, Daffy Duck and others.

Folk music from around the world takes center stage at Dexter Community Band’s free Winter concert on Sunday, March 3.

The 3 p.m. event will be held at the Center for Performing Arts in Dexter High School, 2200 North Parker Road, Dexter.

Directed by William Gourley, the program will include a special connection to the band’s history. James Hosay’s “Highlander Legacy: Variations on “Comin‘ Thro‘ the Rye”, was commissioned by the band in memory of its founding conductor, David Angus.

Other music includes:

• Randol Bass‘s setting of “Shenandoah”

• Aaron Copland’s “Variations on a Shaker Melody”

• “American Variations” from famed Michigan composer Jerry Bilik, which arranges the tune of “Barbara Allen” in several American idioms, from rock‘n‘roll to the blues

• “Variations on a Korean Folk Song” from John Barnes Chance

• Percy Grainger’s “Irish Tune from County Derry”

• “First Suite in Eb for Military Band”, Gustav Holst’s breakthrough composition for wind ensembles also famous for its melody inversions.

Dexter Community Band ushers in the holiday season with a free, family-friendly concert on Sunday, Dec. 9, that will feature singing, cookies, candy canes — and a special visitor from the North Pole. 

 The 3 p.m. event will be held at the Center for Performing Arts in Dexter High School, 2200 North Parker Road, Dexter. 

In addition to Silent Night and other traditional favorites, the concert will feature the singing of Fiona Linn, Abbey Herrman (who also plays alto saxophone in the band); Tyler Hodges, and Austin Chrzanowski.

Rounding out a big night for the saxophone section, Christopher Balk and a bearded fellow in a red suit will perform the duet “Santa Wants a Bari Sax for Christmas.” 

Band members will provide complimentary cookies and punch after the performance. For additional information contact Karla Linkner at 734-426-2734. 

The band’s Holiday Brass ensemble will perform at 3 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 8, at Briarwood Mall in Ann Arbor as part of The Lucy Ann Lance Show’s annual “Hometown Christmas Show” on 1290AM. 

The Dexter Community Band will honor the service and sacrifice of military veterans and their families by performing a free concert on Sunday, Nov. 11. 

 Known as Veterans Day in the U.S., Nov. 11, 2018, also marks the 100thanniversary of Armistice Day, which ended World War I. To commemorate the occasion, two members of Dexter’s American Legion Post 557, Larry Stalker and Bob Turelli, will present the colors at the beginning of the concert, and retire them at the end.

 In selecting the musical pieces, Director William Gourley drew from his own experiences as an Army infantry sergeant in Vietnam. “With the programming I hope to portray what service to country means to veterans,” he says. “When the national anthem is played or I see the flag, it brings back memories of those with whom I served and the things we endured.”

In all, nine Dexter Community Band members are military veterans. Richard Dryer, John Ginther and John Stosick served in the Air Force. In addition to Mr. Gourley, William Aikman and J.P. Moore are Army veterans. Nick Tandy served in the Marines. John Schultz and David Zanghi are veterans of the Navy.

The musical program will feature local singer Chuck Colby from Three Men and a Tenor, who will narrate Til’ Men No Longer Die In War, a tribute to the Marshall Plan by composer James Hosay. Mr. Colby will also sing Lee Greenwood’s God Bless the U.S.A. and Armed Forces Medley, a compilation of anthems from individual military branches.

Other selections include Hymn to the Fallen, composer John Williams’ powerful signature song from the movie “Saving Private Ryan.” Audience members may also recognize the Revolutionary War anthem Chester.

 The 3 p.m. event will be held at the Center for Performing Arts in Dexter High School, 2200 North Parker Road, Dexter. Special seating will be available for veterans and their families.