Beachgoers were thinning out at the Waukegan Municipal Beach with the temperature in the mid-80s Tuesday, while volleyball games continued and the Waukegan Band was preparing for its first concert of the summer, while children did art projects as their parents awaited the music.
A few days of spring were left, but for scores of Waukeganites like Mary Ellen Vanderventer, it was time to enjoy some of their favorite summertime activities as she walked toward the Stiner Pavilion where the band was assembling.
“It’s opening night and it’s very cool to be here,” Vanderventer said. “The music is great, and so is the view. You can bring your cooler and have a picnic. It’s really nice.”
Anne Linn sat with a group of friends next to a picnic table she brought to drink and dine during the concert. Like Vanderventer, the summertime concerts are a tradition she continues over the years.
“It’s like Ravinia except it’s in our backyard,” Linn said. “I started coming in 1976. It’s so quintessentially Waukegan.”
The Waukegan Band opened its annual season Tuesday under the Stiner Pavilion at the city beach, giving the crowd of hundreds free entertainment while the Waukegan Park District’s Arts Park program held its fourth event of the year.
Entering his 10th season as music director, Mark Taylor said the theme for the season is summer romances, with the initial concert of six tunes devoted to young love. He tries to develop an eclectic program with a variety of music.
“There is something for everyone at each concert,” Taylor said. “If you’re a fan of classical music, we have that. We do jazz, show tunes, (and) have something for pop music lovers. We try to fit it all in our program.”
Starting with The Second Suite in F for Military Band, written in 1922, followed by tunes from the 2009 Movie “Up,” the concert finished with a medley of Elvis Presley’s greatest hits and the Looney Tunes Overture.
While Taylor is paid as the music director, the band’s 53 members are volunteers. He said the range in age is from high school students to veterans with 40 years of experience playing in the band.
Playing eight concerts in June, July, and August, Taylor said the summer season is the only performances of the Waukegan Band. They rehearse on Mondays and perform the concert on Tuesdays. He marvels at their cohesion.
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“They are great musicians and they all work together very well as a band,” Taylor said. “They all know they can count on each other, and they take care of each other.”
Dan Brame, a retired Deerfield High School music teacher, plays the alto saxophone in the band. It is his fourth year in the ensemble. He said the musicians support each other. He likes playing with the diverse group.
“It’s fun to be here making music every week,” Brame said, “It’s amazing getting all of us together for the concerts.”
While the music is playing, Shannon Smith, the park district’s artist in residence at the Jack Benny Center for the Arts, is helping youngsters with their art projects. This week, she was helping them paint rocks, which they can take home.
“The kids enjoy doing the projects at the concerts,” Smith said, “They are expressing themselves. The music helps they connect with what they’re doing. It’s a different feel.”
Most of the participants are children, but Smith said occasionally adults participate too. The sound of the music is clear from the location of the Arts Park table.
Arts Park started on June 5. It takes place in a different park from 6 to 7 p.m. each Thursday. It will be at Ben Diamond Park on June 26, Hinkston Park on July 3, Bowen Park on July 10, Diversity Park on July 17, Corrine J. Rose Park on July 24, and King Park on July 31.
Along with doing projects at each band concert, Arts Park also comes to the park district’s movie nights and other special events.
The remaining band concerts are at 7:30 p.m. June 24, July 1, July 8, July 15, July 22, July 29 and Aug. 5.