Concert band plays favorites at kick-off concert

LIMA — Audience as well as musicians' favorite songs fill the bill when the Lima Area Concert Band kicks off its season with “Through the Years” on Saturday.“People have made suggestions to us, as well as our own musicians, on music we've played before that they really like, and we tried to include some of those in this opening concert,” said John Hill, director of the band.Likewise, the musical selection committee added songs of the past, some from the Big Band era, to include. “I guess we wanted songs from our own past, as well as songs from other people's past. These are good songs that bring good feelings,” Hill said.Among the pieces included in this concert are the marches “Sempre Fidelis,” “Rolling Thunder,” and “Them Basses.” Also, a medley of Glenn Miller tunes, “In the Miller Mood,” will be performed.“This is a really nice variety of music. And, we also have a number that's a little heavier, and something a bit challenging for our musicians. They like that challenge, so we try to provide that also,” Hill said. Soloists for this concert include Kelly Biese, director of music at Lima Central Catholic, and attorney Jeff Squire. And Marilyn Roth Basinger, the vocal director at Shawnee, will conduct “Proclamations,” a symphonic celebration.“This year we are spotlighting a lot of the fine qualities of our own musicians. We've got a lot of talent in this band, and we want to show it off,” Hill said.