2011 James B. King Memoral Veterans Day Concert

Please join the band as we salute those who have served in the Armed Forces with our annual James B. King Memoral Veterans Day Concert Sunday November 6th at 2pm in the new Santa Fe College Fine Arts Hall.

The program is free and will include music from John Philip Sousa, John Williams, George Gershwin and more.

Honoring

Veterans Day: Friday, November 11 is the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I and was originally celebrated as Armistice Day. Raymond Weeks of Birmingham, Alabama, organized a Veterans Day parade for that city on November 11, 1947, to honor all of America’s veterans for their loyal service. Later, U.S. Representative Edward H. Rees of Kansas proposed legislation changing the name of the celebration to Veterans Day to honor all who have served in America’s Armed Forces. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a bill proclaiming November 11 as Veterans Day and called upon Americans everywhere to rededicate themselves to the cause of peace. The Gainesville Community Band performs this Veterans Day concert to honor all those who served honorably in the military—in wartime or peacetime.

James B. King

James B. King: This concert is named in honor of Captain James B. King, late member of the Gainesville Community Band. Captain King served as principal clarinet and assistant conductor of the United States Marine Band, “The President’s Own,” under the administrations of Presidents Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson. After retiring in 1980, he and his wife Joy joined the Gainesville Community Band. Captain King died in October 2006, and each year the band presents this concert in memory of a great musician who served his country and was an inspiration to all. As a further remembrance of Captain King, a clarinet will be presented in his name to an outstanding Alachua County middle school band student. Great Southern Music in the Oaks Mall Plaza, 6787 West Newberry Road, has graciously donated the memorial clarinet.