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On Sunday, Sept. 6, the Kokomo Park Band will conclude its season-long celebration, “America at 250,” at Highland Park with a concert titled “America: Melting Pot—The Spirit of the Nation.” This special Labor Day weekend performance highlights the diverse cultural tapestries, immigration stories, and varied traditions that have shaped the American spirit over the last two and a half centuries.
Admission is completely free, thanks to sponsor Encompass Credit Union. The concert begins at 7:00 p.m. and features celebrated saxophonist Cecily Terhune and vocalist Sally Duke.
The program is hosted by the Kokomo Parks Department, with support from the Allen Whitehill Clowes Foundation, Center Township, the Community Foundation of Howard County, The Arts Federation, and the Indiana Arts Commission.
Much of the evening’s repertoire was originally planned for the June 10 concert, most of which was rained out. The music reflects the rich global influences that define the American experience. Audiences will enjoy Star Puzzle by Soichi Konagaya, Dublin Dances by Jan Van Der Roost, and Pierre La Plante’s nostalgic American Riversongs.
The band will also showcase the energetic rhythms of Scott Watson’s Balkan Seven, Floyd Werle’s lively Fandango, and evocative Symphonic Dances from Fiddler on the Roof (composed by Sheldon Harnick and Jerry Bock, with symphonic scoring by Ira Hearshen and arrangement by Warren Barker).
A major centerpiece of the evening is Earl Hagen’s sultry classic Harlem Nocturne (arranged by the late Steve Rhodes, former KPB conductor), which spotlights saxophonist Cecily Terhune.
Terhune has appeared several times on baritone saxophone for KPB’s Big Band Night and was the KPB Student Solo Competition Winner in 2016. An Indianapolis native, she currently teaches private lessons at Carmel and Noblesville High Schools alongside managing her private studio. She performs regularly as a soloist and as a member of Audiodacity, the Sean Imboden Large Ensemble, the Urban Renewal Big Band, and the Hood/Terhune Duo.
Her recent highlights include a European tour with the Ball State Jazz Lab Ensemble across Poland and the Czech Republic, a solo recital at Mukogawa Women’s University in Osaka, Japan, two solo performances at the Chautauqua Institution in New York, and concerto appearances with both the Ball State Symphony Orchestra and the Kokomo Park Band. With Audiodacity, she has played major festivals including Summer Camp, Mile of Music, Resonance, Livestock, and Good People Good Times.
Terhune holds a Master’s degree in Music Performance from the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music, as well as a Bachelor’s degree and Artist Diploma from Ball State University, where she served as the jazz department assistant under director Mark Buselli. She is a recipient of the Brian Minor Memorial Saxophone Scholarship, the Tom Shah Memorial Jazz Scholarship, and the Presser Music Scholarship.
The stage will also welcome back acclaimed local vocalist Sally Duke, a Greentown resident and experienced tour escort. She will deliver a deeply moving performance of the iconic showstopper “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Misérables, featuring a lush arrangement by Michael Brown.
Duke brings a distinct blend of global adventure and deep local roots to the stage. An accomplished Christian vocalist, she has performed widely across national and international stages, and her voice is featured on nine recordings. Locally, she is a popular recurring performer in Greentown’s Music at the Fairgrounds concert series.
Every effort is made to hold concerts outdoors; however, in the event of inclement weather, the performance will relocate to the Northwestern School Auditorium. Rain-site decisions are generally made after 5:00 PM on concert day, with updates published on Facebook and available via a recorded line at 765-319-8554.
The band relies primarily on individual donations to fund its operations and still is in need of funds to cover season expenses. Contributions may be mailed to: Kokomo Park Band, PO Box 6039, Kokomo, IN 46904-6039 on Facebook.