GREENVILLE – The Greenville Municipal Concert Band welcomed music lovers back to the Marling Band Shell in the Greenville City Park Sunday evening with its annual “Welcome Back” concert, showcasing a diverse musical program under the direction of Associate Director Doug Albright.
The opening concert of the summer season highlighted the band’s versatility, featuring everything from classic concert band selections and patriotic marches to jazz, pop, and Broadway-inspired favorites.
The evening opened with Jacques Offenbach’s spirited overture, La Belle Helene, before moving through a varied repertoire that included traditional marches by Sousa and Fillmore, the swinging spiritual arrangement Joshua Fit The Battle, A Gershwin Portrait celebrating the music of American composer George Gershwin, Bruno Mars’ current hit I Just Might, and a medley of songs by George Harrison.
The featured soloist for the evening was Greenville music educator JR Price, who delighted the audience with outstanding saxophone performances of the crowd favorites Harlem Nocturne and Yakety Sax.
Price began his teaching career in 1986 with Randolph Eastern Schools before joining Greenville City Schools in 1988. He currently teaches orchestra and jazz band and is entering his 16th season as the primary director of the Greenville Municipal Concert Band.
The free concert marked the beginning of another summer concert series that has become a longstanding Greenville tradition.
“The last couple of years we’ve had the opportunity to start a week before the Fourth of July celebrations that Greenville normally does, so next week on the fifth we will be in concert,” said Price.
Price is especially looking forward to Greenville’s America 250 celebration surrounding Independence Day.
“It’s going to be a big one,” Price said of the America 250 concert. “There will be many bands playing at the shell, and then it will culminate with the Park Band still doing their 7 p.m. concert, and then we will be done about 8 p.m., 8:15 p.m., as we normally are for everybody to go to the fairgrounds and watch the fireworks display.”
Despite his many years directing the ensemble, Price said his enthusiasm for the summer concert series remains as strong as ever.
“I love it,” said Price. “Having a great time.”
Price also praised the City of Greenville for its continued investment in the city’s parks and public spaces.
“The City of Greenville does a great job putting together the park and making it look very respectful for the people,” said Price. “They are upgrading some things in our area, which is always a good sign of good leadership moving things along. Trees are getting planted, and it’s going to be beautiful. The future of everything looks wonderful.”
Greenville Mayor Jeff Whitaker encouraged residents to take advantage of the weekly concerts throughout the summer.
“We have so much going on here in Greenville,” said Whitaker. “For the next seven weeks after this, we will be having the same thing. We come out and enjoy the concerts every weekend, and a lot of people enjoy music and the talents of so many musicians that we have.”
Whitaker also highlighted the city’s upcoming America 250 festivities, including the July 5 Greenville America 250 Community Picnic scheduled from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
“We are having a big patriotic concert here following the community picnic that we’re having in the afternoon from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.,” said Whitaker. “We will have a lot of activities going on, including the fishing derby put on by the Light Foundation and we have a lot of volunteers bringing out military vehicles. It is going to be a big attraction for the kids.”
Admission to all Greenville Municipal Concert Band performances is free, and community members are invited to enjoy another season of live music at the historic Marling Band Shell throughout the summer.
