It won’t be the Sousa Band, but it will look and sound like the Sousa Band! The Bradley University Symphonic Winds, conducted by Dr. David Vroman, will present a costumed, turn-of-the-century park concert in Dingeldine Music Center on the Bradley campus Sunday, February 24, at 3:00 PM. The concert will be presented in the same style that John Philip Sousa used to entertain large audiences and which made him a household name throughout the United States. A pre-concert lecture featuring stories of the Sousa band will be presented at 2:15 pm by Lee Wenger, the Director of Radio Information Services and on air radio host at WCBU. The concert will be narrated by Maria Chandler of WMBD television.
Admission is $15.00. Tickets are available at the Hartmann Center Box Office beginning on Friday, January 18th from 1:00 pm til 4:00 pm on the Bradley campus or by calling 309-677-2650. Vocalist Emily Volz will perform as Sousa’s “Lady in White” and trombonist Michael Archer will be the featured instrumental soloist. The concert will feature novelty numbers and music of great composers fulfilling Sousa’s dual function of entertaining the audience and bringing the best music available to the public. There will, of course, be marches performed which will stir the patriotic blood, and, according to Sousa, “will make a man with a wooden leg want to get up and march.” Tickets will also be available at the door, however, there are only 440 tickets for sale, so act now! You will not want to miss this afternoon of special musical entertainment!
Maria Chandler began her career at WMBD 31 News in 2010 after graduating from Illinois State University. She initially started as an intern while at ISU and then officially joined WMBD 31 in March of 2010 as a general assignment reporter working out of the station’s Bloomington/Normal bureau. Maria also worked out of the Peoria office where she filled in at the anchor desk regularly. In April of 2012, Maria was named Co-Anchor of WMBD 31 News at 6:00 & 10:00pm, alongside veteran news anchor Bob Larson, and WYZZ-Fox 43 News at 9. Her work has been recognized by the Illinois Broadcasters Association.
Born and raised in Pana, Illinois, Maria brings additional hometown and local insights to the WMBD 31 and WYZZ FOX 43 newscasts. She is an active member of the community, volunteering several days a week at Peoria’s South Side Mission. Maria loves meeting and connecting with people, hearing their stories, and taking action for her community each and every day.
Dr. David Vroman is the Director of Band Activities and the Chairperson for the Department of Music at Bradley University in Peoria, Illinois. In this capacity he conducts the Symphonic Winds, Symphonic Band, and Basketball Band. He also teaches advanced instrumental conducting, brass techniques, marching band techniques, horn and supervises student teachers. During the summer months Dr. Vroman is the conductor of the Peoria Municipal Band that is comprised of some of the most outstanding wind and percussion performers in Central Illinois.