This concert, which will begin at 3:30 p.m., is the band’s annual Irish Concert to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. It is believed that these concerts were started by Karl King when he arrived in Fort Dodge in the early 1920’s. Several familiar Irish tunes will be performed, including everyone’s favorite, “MacNamara’s Band”, as arranged by former conductor of the band, Reginald R. Schive.

Irish selections on the program include “Ireland”, an appealing medley of well-known Irish tunes by master arranger Warren Barker that combines “Saint Patrick’s Day”, “I’ll Take You Home Again, Kathleen”, and “The Kerry Dance” to create a lively composition.

Roger Netz from Manson, a member of the Saxophone section, will lead the audience in a sing-along of the traditional Irish favorites, “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” and “That’s an Irish Lullaby”.

Other well-known compositions include Leroy Anderson’s lilting waltz, “Belle Of The Ball”, and “A Tribute to Glenn Miller” by the Clarinda IA native, including the big-band era favorites “Tuxedo Junction”, “Jersey Bounce”, “American Patrol”, and “Little Brown Jug”.

Plenty of march selections will be performed as well, including Karl L. King’s 1946 tribute to his adopted state with “Iowa Centennial”, J.J. Richards’ thrilling “Emblem of Unity”, Roland F. Seitz’s “Brooke’s Chicago Marine Band” along with John Philip Sousa’s “The Liberty Bell”, and Fred Jewell’s “E Pluribus Unum”.

Featured soloist for the afternoon will be Paul Bloomquist on trombone. Bloomquist is a native of Dayton and graduated from Southeast Webster High School. He received his Bachelor’s degree from Simpson College in Indianola, and his Master’s degree from the American Band College in Oregon. He is currently an instructor and director of bands at Iowa Central Community College, and performs in Jive for Five and other area bands.

Bloomquist will perform the beautiful “Irish Tune from County Derry”, followed by a lively 1905 ragtime selection, “Razzazza Mazzazza”, written by Arthur Pryor, the trombone soloist with the Sousa Band for 12 years. It is estimated Pryor played more than 10,000 solos during that span.

These concerts always close in the traditional way with the playing of our National Anthem, “The Star-Spangled Banner”. In case of inclement weather, this concert may be cancelled on the concert day. Any announcements will be made on the band’s Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/karlkingband/ or on the band’s website at www.karlking.us.