Sousa on Saturday

Even after the return of the American Legion national convention in 2021 after its 2020 cancellation, the Concert Band Contest remained on hiatus. But on Aug. 27 at the Wisconsin Center in Milwaukee, four bands competed in the 2022 competition.

Those bands, and their selections, were:

American Legion Band of Greater Kansas City:

- James Clifton Williams, “The Sinfonians” (1960)
- John Philip Sousa, “March of the American Cavalry: Sable and Spurs” (1918)
- Alfred Reed, “El Camino Real” (1985)

American Legion Band of the Tonawandas (Tonawanda, N.Y.), sponsored by Post 264:

- Rossano Galante, “Sailing with Whales” (2020)
- John Philip Sousa, “George Washington Bicentennial March” (1932)
- Alfred Reed, “Armenian Dances Part 2, Movement 3: Lorva Horovel” (1978)

Joliet (Ill.) American Legion Band, sponsored by Post 1080:

- Charles S. Belsterling, “March of the Steelmen” (1937)
- Cyrill Kistler, “Prelude to Act III of Kunihild" (1893)
- Claude T. Smith, “Symphony No. 1 for Band” (1979)

Oconomowoc (Wis.) American Legion Band:

- Richard L. Saucedo, “Theme and Tirade” (2009)
- Harold Alford, “Purple Carnival March” (1933)
- Rossano Galante, “Victory” (2017)

The 9th District of Minnesota Band performed in exhibition:

- F.W. Meacham, “The American Patrol” (1885)
- John Wasson, “Land of Liberty” (arrangement of standards)
- “The Ultimate Patriotic Singalong” (standards)

The final scores:

Joliet: 95.33

Tonawandas: 93.40

Oconomowoc: 91.33

Kansas City: 89.13

The top score went to Joliet for the first time since 2007, according to clarinet Mercedes Nagel. Visibly affected, she commented, “We are elated to bring the trophy back to Joliet, the City of Champions.”