Illinois Brass Band “Gearing” up for the 2024 – 2025 Season

The Illinois Brass Band and Music Director Stephen Squires will kick off the 2024 – 2025 season on Thursday, September 5 th . Band members will dust off their horns after having August off and prepare for their auditions on September 5 th and 12 th . We will then begin reading and preparations for our first performances in November.

The band is off to a more leisurely start this season as it will be the first time in eight years that we will not be performing at the Glendale Heights Oktoberfest. We were so fortunate and honored for the opportunity to play this great event. Our sincere thanks to the Village of Glendale Heights for inviting us to perform over the years. We look forward to hearing all the great bands playing this year. Our fall performance series will take place on Friday, November 1 st at First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights and will be repeated on Sunday, November 3 rd in Rockford, IL as part of the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center 140 th season of concerts.

Dr. Bruce Briney, recently retired professor of music at Western Illinois University, will be our featured cornet soloist performing Philip Sparke’s “Manhattan.” Dr. Briney was IBB’s first music director from 1991 until 1993.

The November concerts will also feature the brass band premier of James Syler’s “Gearbox” a depiction of the “frenetic energy and power” of a mechanical gearbox or automobile transmission. “Gearbox” was inspired by the memory of Mr. Syler’s father Robert, who was a lover of cars and all things mechanical. During the month of December we will present our three very popular “Holliday Classics” Christmas performances. Sunday, December 8 th we will perform at First United Methodist Church of LaGrange, IL; Saturday, December 21 st brings us back to Baker Memorial United Methodist Church; and then on Sunday, December 22 nd we complete the cycle at First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights, IL. These concerts will feature the music and the sounds of the season.

Amy Bearden will once again be our guest vocal soloist. Amy will also lead the hand bell choir from First United Methodist Church of Arlington Hts. as they collaborate with the band on the 22 nd . Please see the performance page at illinoisbrassband.org for more information about any of the performances, times, locations, and for information regarding advance ticket sales. The spring season will be all about the bands 26 th appearance at the North American Brass Band Associational Championships in Ft. Wayne, IL.

Then before you know it, on to summer bookings. If you know of performance opportunities or would like to book the band, please contact us directly as we are always looking for the next opportunity to bring exciting brass band music to the community. See you at the concerts!

Upcoming events

Friday, November 1, 2024

Fall Concert
Time: 7:00 PM
First United Methodist Church of Arlington Heights
1903 E Euclid Ave
Arlington Hts, IL
Fall concert featuring cornet soloist, Dr. Bruce Briney

full list and details

Mailing List

Stay up to date on upcoming Illinois Brass Band performances and other news and events. Subscribe to the Illinois Brass Band Announcements Mailing List.