The beat Marches On! for Memorial Day

MELBOURNE — The perpetual bang of a drum or proudful beckoning of a horn has facilitated military marches for centuries. The stirring rhythms are riveting and inspiring, so it's easy to envision dynamic tempos propelling battalions onward with patriotic pride.

Nowadays, those same beats champion forward sports teams and commemorative parades in towns and cities across America. The marching band sets the stage, instills excitement, and prepares its audience for what's to come. And...they’re fun!

The jaunty beat gears up, and it's hard to keep still. You find yourself tapping your feet to the pulsating beat and clapping your hands with a smile that matches the festive air.

To honor our fallen heroes this Memorial Day weekend, Central Florida Winds presents "March On!," a free concert featuring a collection of favorite marches. The performance takes place on Sunday, May 28th, at 3 p.m., at Suntree United Methodist Church, 7400 N. Wickham Rd. "Marches are full of surprises," said Richard Sabino, Central Florida Winds conductor and founder. "And it's always fun to discover surprises in any piece of music."

While the musical form didn't originate in the United States, we are known for our march bravado. "We seem to be recognized for our marches in that way that Austria is known for the waltz," said Sabino. The great March King, John Philip Sousa, born in Washington D.C. (1854), composed over 130 marches and all but put the energetic, rousing genre on the musical map. With easily recognizable pieces such as Semper Fidelis, The Washington Post, and Stars and Stripes — the national march of the United States since 1987 — he more than deserves the recognition.

The historical significance of the march is of equal importance as the pieces are often written to commemorate a deed or event of authentic value. Century of Service, for example, was written a few years back (2018) by Ryan Nowlin to honor the 300 women who were the first to enlist in the United States Marine Corps Reserve. "I wrote these melodies constantly rising in pitch, " said Nowlin, "to symbolize the always reaching, always growing, determined spirit of these women." The brave 300 volunteered for military service in 1918 when they didn't even have the right to vote!

American, European, and South American marches have similarities but also bear considerable differences regarding harmony, pace, and melodic composition, "And all of them are as fun to play as they are for audiences to hear," said Sabino.

Celebrating the soul of the march, "March On!" will feature a medley of American and European marches that are sure to get your feet tapping, including the National Anthem by Francis Scott Key; Marche Hongroise by Hector Berlioz; the Imperial March from Star Wars by the uber-talented American composer, conductor, and pianist, John Williams; and The Liberty Bell by John Philip Sousa, to name but a few of the 13 spirited pieces on tap for your musical pleasure.

The Central Florida Winds repertoire of classical works is brought to you free of charge, and "March On!" is no exception, although a $10 donation is humbly suggested. There are no tickets for the event, and seating is first-come, first-served, so it's a good idea to arrive early, claim your spot, and settle in for an evening of musical pomp enjoyed by the entire family.

For more information about the Central Florida Winds and future concert dates, please visit www.cfwinds.com/