Defiance College Community Band
to salute veterans

The Defiance College Community Band will hold this season’s inaugural concert on Tuesday, Nov. 13, in the Defiance Community Auditorium. The annual Veterans Day event is titled “A Tribute to Our Veterans …   Defenders of Freedom.” The concert begins at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:45 p.m. There is no admission charge.

Under the baton of musical director Dr. Vincent Polce, the ensemble will perform a variety of classic concert band literature that will include overtures, Sousa marches, patriotic melodies and virtuoso soloists.

“Our concert will include a wide variety of music that we trust will be enjoyable for the entire audience,” said Polce. “During this Veterans Day celebration, our program will pay tribute to the men and women who have served and are currently serving in the armed forces.” A segment of the program will be devoted to those who served in Vietnam. Polce is working with Mike Williams of the Veterans Administration Office and the Welcome Home Chapter Post 954 of the Vietnam Veterans of America to plan the evening’s program.

“We are genuinely pleased and honored that the Defiance College Community Band will pay tribute to all service men and women, but especially those that served in Vietnam,” said Williams. “Often this group of brave service personnel has not received their due recognition, and we look forward to a celebration of their efforts.” 

The DCCB will have two guest soloists. Vocalist Master Sgt. Jay Edwards of the 555th Unit of the Air Force Guard Band in Toledo will perform a medley of popular melodies to include “You’re a Grand Old Flag,” “Give My Regards To Broadway” and “Over There.”  Euphoniumist Master Sgt. Dan Bentley of the Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton will perform a medley of titles to include “America the Beautiful,” “Yankee Doodle Dandy,” and “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Serving as guest conductor will be Dr. Richard Stroede as he leads the band in the popular war-time favorite, “American Patrol.”