TONTOGANY – The Otsego High School concert band is returning after a four-year hiatus with a "Stars,
Stripes and Sousa" concert.
The performance is set for Monday at 7 p.m. in the Otsego Performing Arts Center.
The 80-member student band, grades 9-12, will be helped by approximately 25 community instrumentalists,
from the Maumee Community Band and Otsego alumni.
The concert is to celebrate the John Philip Sousa Band, America’s patriotism and honor "Defenders of
Freedom."
The concert is "a big educational value" for students, said director Rich Dubler.
Sousa was "one of the most important composers in America, especially in band," he said.
Students also are learning the way Sousa conducted his concerts. The band on Monday will perform 16
pieces, each followed by an encore march.
Sousa "was very, very well known throughout the United States and the world," said Dubler.
The show also will feature Bill Mathis, from Bowling Green State University, on solo trombone.
From 1880 until his death in 1932, Sousa focused exclusively on conducting and the writing of marches.

He led "The President’s Own" band under five presidents, then left and started the Sousa Band,
which toured from 1892 to1931, performing at 15,623 concerts.
The show will feature well-known marches "The Thunderer," "Semper Fidelis,"
"Washington Post" and "The Stars and Stripes Forever" with an encore "The Star
Spangled Banner."
Area veterans are invited to the program. Color guards will be in attendance to post the colors.
Monday’s show "is for the community, not just parents and friends," Dubler said. "We want
to show (veterans) that we still respect them."
Dubler said he plans to offer a Sousa concert every other year.
It’s tough on band members, he admitted, who are used to learning three to five pieces in two months.
For this show, they’ve learned 16.
"They’re doing an admirable job."
The concert will conclude with "Salute to the Armed Forces" featuring the theme songs from each
branch of the military.